We’ve all heard horror stories about the effects of drugs and addiction. However, aside from what we usually hear about them like illness, how lives are ruined, and so on, there are some jaw dropping drug facts that may not be common knowledge to most people. The history of drugs, especially in the United States, is amazing – if we knew then what we did now, so many things could be different. There have been times where drugs have been almost freely distributed in medicines and even some foods!
There are a lot of bizarre, interesting, and terrifying drug facts and their use throughout history. Below I list a few facts that you may not already know about drugs, addiction, and why you shouldn’t be doing them.
Drug Testing on Slaves
The Bayer company (yes the one that helps with headaches), bought prisoners from Auschwitz to use as test subjects for their drugs. Bayer would take slaves to test new chemicals meant to both hurt and harm humans during the Nazi Regime. Don’t worry – the guy that made those decisions was arrested and charged for crimes against humanity, so there’s no reason to hate them now.
Heroin as a Cough Suppressant
Before all the facts were known about heroin, it was initially used as a cough suppressant. It wasn’t until people started developing addictions and dying that it was made illegal.
Negative Mary Jane
Have people told you marijuana doesn’t have negative physical effects? Nope, it’s almost as bad (if not worse) than cigarettes! Users can claim physical, emotional, and social dependence on the drug in addition to a plethora of respiratory problems.
Iron Man’s Burger King Revelation
Robert Downey Jr. might be a pretty big deal right now and loved around the world, but he used to be heading down the wrong road with drug addiction and self-destruction. It wasn’t until he had a revelation at a Burger King that he decided to change his ways.
1/3 of Police Time
1/3 of America’s police force time is spent on the war against drugs – ONE-THIRD. If hypothetically, drugs were legalized (which they shouldn’t be) 1/3 of the USA’s police force would be expendable. That is simply way too much time spent fighting a war that could be prevented.
Worth More than Some Countries
The international drug trade is estimated to be a $322 billion business. This GDP gives the illegal trade a higher value than countries like Greece, Portugal, and Venezuela.
Tweens and Drugs
The average age a person first tried drugs is 13 years old, with some people saying they first considered it a problem as early as 4th grade.
Baby Powder?
Cocaine is present in 9/10 baby changing tables in the Northwest UK.
Drunk and Disorderly
Nearly 95% of all college violence is related to or started because of alcohol.
Avoidable Violence
Drugs and alcohol are contributed to an estimated 80% of domestic violence, 50% of all violent crimes, and 50% of suicides/attempts.
Prescription Overdose
As of 2010, 60% of drug-overdose deaths were related to prescription drugs. Also, it was noted that 22 million Americans age 12 and over (aka 9% of the population) use illegal drugs.
Psychedelic Bananas
A magazine published a fake story in 1967 saying that it was possible to extract hallucinogenic chemicals from bananas. People didn’t know it was a hoax and they tried to smoke banana peels to try and get high.
More Drug Facts and Addiction Help with Morningside Recovery
The drug facts don’t lie. Drug addiction is real and dangerous. If you’re looking for more information in understanding the drug addiction disease, Morningside Recovery can help. Call us as 855-271-2252 to learn more about our substance abuse treatment options today!
By Michelle Conway
Photo by: Lee Haywood (Flickr)
