Start Date
4-27-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
4-27-2020 10:00 AM
Disciplines
European History
Subjects
Opium -- Therapeutic use -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century, Opium abuse -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century, Opium abuse -- Great Britain -- Social aspects, Substance abuse -- Great Britain -- History
Abstract
The proliferation of opium use in 19th century Britain significantly affected the country's social culture due to it becoming a mainstream substance used by people of many social standings. Opium is a historic case study for addiction due to its economic impact and changes to the legal regulation of medicine. Poor legislation and enforcement, untimely and ineffective response, and financial self-interest caused the 19th century epidemic of opium addiction. Opium was the right drug at the right place and right time. Pharmacists and medical professionals protected their financial self-interest, and failed to enforce regulation of the drug. Although they were aware of the black market emergence of opium, and the consequence of continual use, they rendered the regulation ineffective.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32902
Included in
Invigorated Writers, Quieted Children, and Self-Interested Pharmacists: The Proliferation of Opium in 19th Century Britain
The proliferation of opium use in 19th century Britain significantly affected the country's social culture due to it becoming a mainstream substance used by people of many social standings. Opium is a historic case study for addiction due to its economic impact and changes to the legal regulation of medicine. Poor legislation and enforcement, untimely and ineffective response, and financial self-interest caused the 19th century epidemic of opium addiction. Opium was the right drug at the right place and right time. Pharmacists and medical professionals protected their financial self-interest, and failed to enforce regulation of the drug. Although they were aware of the black market emergence of opium, and the consequence of continual use, they rendered the regulation ineffective.