The History of Drugs

Already the people of early history knew about natural drugs and used them for medical applications, religious rituals and as intoxicants. In Asia and south-eastern Europe, poppy plantations existed as early as 3000 to 4000 years ago. In antique reports, opiates are mentioned, which were used for pain relief and as an intoxicant.

Around 2700 BC Emperor Sheng Hung refers to cannabis as a remedy.

IIn medieval Europe native drugs from nightshades (e.g.: mandrake, henbane, thorn apple...) were used for magical rituals. It was reported that witches had used henbane as an 'ointment for flying' in order to fly to the Brocken to visit the devil.

In the 17th and 18th century, the governments in Europe and North America encouraged the planting of hemp and the consumption of opium became a health problem in Eastern Asia.

Advances in chemistry at the beginning of the 19th century made it possible to analyse the active ingredients of most natural drugs. The chemical structure of cannabis was studied in 1821 and in 1898 the Bayer Company (Germany) produced heroin for the treatment of morphine addicts. In 1938 Albert Hofmann synthesised LSD.

This drug was taken by teenagers in the 70’s, but was later replaced by designer drugs like ecstasy.

Ecstasy

(also called: Eve, E, XTC)

Ecstasy was produced in 1899 for the first time and was originally used as an appetite suppressant. Later it was used in psychotherapy as well.

It is a synthetic drug, which for the most part is illegally produced in private laboratories. Ecstasy can make you calm as well as inspired and open-minded, stimulated, outgoing and longing for harmony. In addition, it increases performance and inhibits the appetite. Moreover, it impedes several body functions.

Ecstasy is mostly taken by teenagers in discos. Some cases of death have been reported, as ecstasy withdraws a lot of water from the body. If you don’t drink enough, you might die of lack of liquid.

Heroin

(also called: H, shore, smack, poison)

It was developed and patented by the Bayer Company in 1898. Heroin is a chemical compound consisting of morphine and acetic acid. It is produced from poppy juice by chemical reactions. This drug has a narcotic and tranquillising effect and is therefore often taken for handling bigger problems and grief (debts, lover’s grief…). Heroin is especially dangerous, as it may cause unconsciousness, arrest of respiration and suffocation due to vomit. One overdose can be lethal.

Hashish

(also called: cannabis, marijuana, grass, dope, shit)

Hashish was used as an economic plant and intoxicant over the last 7000 years and is one of the oldest types of drugs.

It is made from compressed resin, dried blossoms or tips of the hemp plant. It intensifies emotions, i.e. e. you become even more cheerful when you are happy or more depressed when you are down.

By Elisabeth Frey, Sabine Porazek and Gisela Selucky, Gymnasium Laaerbergstraße, Vienna, Austria