A History of Opium and Heroin Addiction in the United States Documentary (1972)

Video Description :
thefilmarchive.org Opium (poppy tears, lachryma papaveris) dried latex obtained opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium 12% morphine, alkaloid, frequently processed chemically produce heroin illegal drug trade. The latex includes codeine -narcotic alkaloids papaverine, thebaine noscapine. The traditional method obtaining latex scratch ("score") immature seed pods (fruits) hand; latex leaks dries sticky yellowish residue scraped fruit. The modern method harvest process mature plants machine. "Meconium" historically referred related, weaker preparations parts poppy species poppies. The production opium basically changed ancient times. However, selective breeding Papaver somniferum plant, content phenanthrene alkaloids morphine, codeine, lesser extent thebaine, greatly increased. In modern times, thebaine, serves raw material synthesis hydrocodone, hydromorphone, semi-synthetic opiates, originates extracting Papaver orientale Papaver bracteatum. Opium illegal converted heroin, bulky, making easier smuggle, multiplies potency approximately morphine. Heroin intravenous <>...</>