Narcotics of Natural Origin

The poppy (papaver somniferum) (fig. 7-1) is the main source of the nonsynthetic narcotics. It was grown in the Mediterranean region as early as 300 B.C. and has since been cultivated in countries around the world, including Hungary, Yugoslavia, Turkey, India, Burma, China, and Mexico.

The milky fluid that oozes from incisions in the unripe seedpod (fig. 7-2) has since ancient times been scraped by hand and air dried to produce opium gum

Figure 7-1.-The poppy (papaver somniferum).

Figure 7-2.-The milky fluid from incisions in the unripe seedpod.

Figure 7.3.-Fluid scraped by hand and air dried to produce opium gum.

(fig. 7-3). A more modem method of harvesting is by the industrial poppy straw process of extracting alkaloids from the mature dried plant. The extract may be in liquid, solid, or powder form. Most poppy straw concentrate made available commercially is a fine brownish powder with a distinct odor.

OPIUM.- Raw opium (fig. 7-4) has a distinctive and pungent odor. It is most commonly used by smoking in long-stemmed pipes. The user presents a sleepy and relaxed appearance while under the influence of the drug. There is little abuse of opium in the United States.

Figure 7-4.-Opium.

At least 25 alkaloids can be extracted from opium. These fall into two general categories, each producing markedly different effects. The first category, known as the phenanthrene alkaloids and represented by morphine and codeine, is used as analgesics and cough suppressants; the second category, the isoquinoline alkaloids, represented by papaverine (an intestinal relaxant) and noscapine (a cough suppressant), has no significant influence on the central nervous system and is not regulated under the FCSA.

Although a small amount of opium is used to make antidiarrheal preparations, such as paregoric, virtually all the opium imported into this country is broken down into its alkaloid constituents, principally morphine and codeine.

Opium can create both mental and physical dependence in the user, and chronic use w ill result in both symptoms being manifested. Raw opium is the source of morphine, heroin, codeine, paregoric, and other derivatives.

MORPHINE.- Morphine is obtained from a raw opium base through a chemical process. Ten pounds of raw opium is required to yield 1 pound of morphine base, which is then converted on a 1 to 1 ratio to morphine. Ranging in concentration from 4 to 21 percent, morphine is one of the most effective drugs known for the relief of pain.

Morphine usually appears as a white crystalline powder on the illicit market, but also appears in tablet, capsule, and liquid form (fig. 7-5). Morphine is odorless, tastes bitter, and darkens with age.

Morphine is usually administered by injection with the hypodermic syringe (or hypodermic needle and medicine dropper combination) and can create both mental and physical dependence in the user. Tolerance and dependence develop rapidly in the user. A euphoric state is obtained with morphine, and the chronic user presents a sleepy or relaxed appearance and may exhibit constricted pupils of the eyes.

Only a small part of the morphine obtained from opium is used medically. Most of it is converted to codeine and, secondarily, to hydromorphone.