Public attention has been drawn to the 'Opioid Addiction" drugs which are legally prescribed for pain management. The misuse of these useful medications was fueled by overzealous prescribing by physicians and marketing by unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies.
Several large previously reputable pharmaceutical companies (privately owned) were brought down by the opioid scandal (Purdue), and a rich philanthropic family's wealth destroyed by multiple large judgments (states) who sued for damages for medical treatments and therapy for addicted patients. This will serve as a warning to those in the future who plan to profit from marketing dangerous and/or addicting drugs.
There are also many other non-opioid compounds that are used by patients who seek highs or other body experience, ranging from nitrous oxide to sniffing glue or other volatile compounds. Many have serious effects on other body systems such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Methamphetamine, the chief ingredient for 'crack' is easily manufactured from some legal prescriptions including many over-the-counter cold remedies. It became so well known that retail pharmacists no longer place them on open shelves, and although unregulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) keeping them under lock and key elsewhere. The key ingredient, Sudafed is a main ingredient for nasal decongestants and is nonaddictive. Its main danger is the combination of readily available supply and dangerous side effects when concentrated into 'crack"
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