Substance abuse opium

In the United States and other developed countries, illicit opium derivatives such as heroin or licit synthetic opioids such as Vicodin have generally replaced the use of smoked or eaten opium. According to Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) data provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there were more than 82,000 emergency department admissions for narcotic analgesics/narcotic analgesic combinations in 2000. Only 167 of these visits were for opium and opium combinations. 

Talwin, another opium derivative, is a Schedule IV narcotic. Schedule IV drugs have less potential for abuse than Schedule III drugs, an accepted medical use in the United States, and the likelihood of limited physical or psychological dependence if abused. Federal trafficking penalties for a first offense of a Schedule HI substance is not more than three years and fines of up to 250,000 for individuals and one million dollars for organizations. A second offense carries a maximum of 30 years to life if a death is involved and lines up to two and 10 million dollars. 

Separated from the main Law in 1960, the Pharmacists Law deals with the activities of pharmacists, examination, licensing and duties the Law concerning the Organization for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices was recently revised. Several other laws are involved in pharmaceutical administration. Their scope is restricted to limited areas and most of them aim at preventing drug abuse and health damages. They are the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law, the Cannabis Control Law, the Opium Law, the Stimulants Control Law, and the Blood Collection and Blood Donation Services Control Law. 

---