Culture - What is it with Americans and Opiates?

[salviablue]

This is not meant to be in anyway condescending towards Americans. I am genuinely interested in the possible reasons, or if I have somehow totally misunderstood the situation here in the UK (or in USA).

Why is it so sociably acceptable in USA to recreationally use Opium and Heroin? I ask this because over here in the UK the only people that take heroin are (whats collectively known as) smack- (or bag-) heads. It is generally considered (I`ll ignore the mass `proles` view i.e. drugs=dirty) something that WILL get you addicted, WILL kill you much sooner than expected and WILL ruin everyones life that loves you (including your own). You WILL become homeless, spend time in and out, mug people, pinch grannies pension money, steal and sell grandads medals etc. All this from more than one use. (Most people I have known or met that have H-cancer started knowing all this but thinking it wouldnt apply to them!). Smack-heads tend to be, 99% of the time : -
- Heroin addicts
- Homeless
- Alcoholics
- Of poor health
- Moneyless
- Thieves, muggers and scammers (albeit not very good ones)
- IV users thus have HIV, Hep, collapsed veins.
- Seen as sub-human
- Generally violent, untrustworthy and unpleasant individuals

Those users whom have not yet become homeless (unless one has a very well paying job that is v.flexible and undemanding or is rich beyond demand) will become so as personal debts begin to build, there are no personal items left to be sold, friends are alienated by unpaid debts or being stolen from, true crime becomes part of ones life as one begins to associate more and more with `the wrong crowd` (if that not what lead one to heroin in the first place).
This is what I have gleaned from personal experience. I have never even tried heroin but I have known `friends` that have been smackheads (but I never knew at the time). Having said this I have known one person in the past whom had plenty of money, a good high paid job, and managed to juggle being a heroin addict and a worker quite successfully for the time I knew of this person (exception to the rule though i think).
Here in the UK if one does heroin more than once one doesnt talk about it - even to liberally open minded people - and does their best to conceal it.
I have always said and thought that I would try heroin at some point (somewhere it is not illegal ofcourse) but, knowing how addictive my personality is I am now willing not to realise this experiment.


Opium doesnt really feature over here, but it does seem to feature quite a bit in America, the only users over here are (quickly dying off) WWII vets that served in `mesopotamia` or India, and the more `connoisseur` drug user type or herbal medicinist. I just included it for more completeness.

Other opiates also seem to feature quite heavily with Americans. Are they more easily available? Over here were lucky if we get prescribed codeine hydrochlorate!

Ideas?

Reputation Comments on this post:

good debate; got the old blood pumpin..