A Recreational Drug for All Seasons

The subject of this month’s Name that Drug is a curious, strange substance to be sure. This drug entered the American pharmaceutical market in 1958 and had been in various stages of chemical adjustment since the mid-50’s. The chemistry blueprint for this drug was remarkably similar to the molecular format established for morphine. In fact, morphologically speaking, this month’s drug has a name that has obvious connections to morphine itself; however, this drug is NOT a narcotic. The drug is currently sold in compounds that are available in prescription and in over-the-counter formulas. Until a few years ago, the drug had toiled along as a medicinal workhorse in the treatment of tens of millions of needy patients, an overlooked and overworked drug that few people appreciated.

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Questions like this are routinely directed to the DAR Hotline staff. Frustrated callers scratch their heads in puzzlement, people caught in the act of smoking a joint nonetheless test clean on a THC urine diagnostic screening device that’s run a short time later. The answer to the question is relatively simple. Be patient.

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In February 2009, MEDTOX did a brief report regarding the investigation undertaken by an FDA advisory committee that voted for the withdrawal of Darvon products from the American drug market. Darvon and several sibling preparations contain the synthetic narcotic propoxyphene. First developed by drug maker Eli Lilly in the mid 50’s, the drug has been prescribed to millions of Americans to treat mild to moderate pain.

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Indeed there are. For decades now, marijuana advocacy groups have promulgated the idea that marijuana use is innocuous, a benign vice that is nothing more than a little homeopathic trip to inner relaxation and peace. Marijuana advocates push a syllogism that goes something like this: Alcohol is a widely used legal drug that is the root cause of thousands of fatal automobile collisions every year. Marijuana a sedative like alcohol is involved in far-fewer numbers of fatal traffic collisions. Therefore, marijuana is a safer drug than alcohol and it should be legalized.

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For drug users attracted to the use of central nervous system stimulant drugs, there are choices that go beyond that of methamphetamine and cocaine. Alternative stimulants are attractive to drug users at a couple of different levels. Foremost might be the fact that these sorts of drugs are rarely screened for in drug tests; use of alternative drugs can go undetected for as long as a drug user can compensate for them and otherwise be functional. Alternative central nervous system stimulant drugs include the likes of Ritalin (methylphenidate), Cylert (pemoline) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine); each of these is a controlled substance. Diversion of these drugs from legitimate to illicit purposes is common; these drugs can be found for sale on the Internet and on the street. For those who seek alternative drugs, the Internet serves as a vector and source of important information.

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