[Texaggie79]

I don't have exact numbers, but the majority of the population.

[MrLeRoy]

Have you any idea how many people were addicted to heroine before it was criminalized?

How many?

the majority of the population.

The majority of the population was addicted to heroin?!?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Kerberos]

The following is a link that may help both of you in determining the use of opiates in the latter half of the 19^th century. Be advised that it is a long read but has some useful information.  You will also find other articles on this site that is a great compilation of the  history of drug use and the development of drug laws in our country.

THE OPIUM PROBLEM

To make the statement that the majority of people during the late 1800’s were addicted to opiates is to say the least an overgeneralization, however it is a fact that many people where addicted to opiates during that time period.  From the material presented in the above link it can be determined that there are at least three truism that can be found.

1. That opiates were in widespread use through a variety of products. Unfortunately, there was little to no information available to the public as to the addictive properties of opiates.  Lack of factual information lead to the public perception that these products could be used without consequences, which of course lead to bad decisions by the public.  Not a whole lot unlike the situation we have today with the propaganda being disseminated through the war on drugs.
2. Due to the demonizing of the use of alcohol by the temperance movement, many people turned to the use of opiates, as it did not have the same social stigma as the use of alcohol.  A sterling example of the consequences of moralizing a problem, absent factual information, leading to bad policy and or decisions.  Again much the same problem as we have today.
3. Women were more likely to be addicted to opiates than men. To much free time and nothing to fill it with?

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