Why does Law Enforcement call cocaine, marijauna or meth amphetamine Narcotics when they Aren’t?
The Websters and REAL definition of Narcotic’s are opiate based drugs. Why does Law enforcement call the other narcotics when they really aren’t?
I have never generically called drugs narcotics; it’s not part of my law enforcement career or any of my partners’. Specialized drug task forces have a long history being referred to as the "narcs", so maybe that and TV have a lot to do with that thought.
Other than that, I deal with drugs in seven general categories, of which opiates are one. Opiates are often referred to as narcotic analgesics. The analgesic being a term meaning pain reliever.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:17 am
While not literally correct, it has become an LE shorthand for all illegal drugs.
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December 18th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Dave has got the measure of this one.
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December 18th, 2009 at 4:11 am
For Cocaine it is even literally correct, even if you might
think more of the temporary effect regarding numbnuts who
feel like having clear thoughts for a first time and get speedy.
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I see diligent guessing but little clue.
Cocaine is no opiate. Ask your dentist.
Some teethless responders are pardoned.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Cocaine IS an opiate based drug. Where do you think codeine comes from…and codeine is a …..gasp! Narcotic.
But the others aren’t.
They classify weed as that to make it sound worse than it is and they classify meth under it because there is no class for hillbilly heroin….but since it has some of the same euphoric qualities, they classify it as a narcotic as well.
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December 18th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Narcotics as far as the law is concerned are illegal mind altering drugs. And cocaine is not pure so you have no clue what is in it unless it’s tested.
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my brother is a cop
December 18th, 2009 at 6:08 am
They call all illegal drugs narcotics because it’s handled by the same department. It’s just simpler.
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December 18th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Why are there different punishments for those who get caught with cocaine vs crack cocaine? Cocaine just takes longer to destroy you and it’s harder to get ahold of…can any clarify?
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Because it all falls into the subject or the catagory , in the Narcotics Division. I sure hope they don’t call it the Opiate Drug Division. The drugs you mention , are also a drug that cause severe brain and behavior changes. So these drugs has a truely Narcotic effect on the user.
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Yeah, you’re right, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine are all completely different from opiates as they not only completely chemically different, they also operate in a completely different mode of operation in the human body with a completely different effect.
I would bet the reason for this is the same reason people say things like ‘I feel good today’ or ‘I need to itch myself’; a complete ignorance to the proper use of the English language. Certain words become used so frequently in an improper manner, that it practically becomes accepted as being correct.
Remember, our countries first battle against drugs was against opium, morphine, and heroin; all of which are narcotics. I would guess that as the battle turned into a war, it became accepted to continue to use the term against other drugs.
Plus, the word ‘narcotics’ sounds scarier, and more sophisticated than the word ‘drugs’.
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Narcotic, paralytic, sedative…
Bet even scientists would argue about the correct terminology.
Shopping can be a drug, gambling, or speeding over 100mph.
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December 18th, 2009 at 8:08 am
"Cocaine IS an opiate based drug. Where do you think codeine comes from…and codeine is a …..gasp! Narcotic." – Try again, and please don’t confuse the issue by talking about things you have no idea about.
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the COCA plant.
While codeine can be extracted from OPIUM POPPIES, most codeine is synthesized from morphine.
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Wikepedia, not that hard
December 18th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I have never generically called drugs narcotics; it’s not part of my law enforcement career or any of my partners’. Specialized drug task forces have a long history being referred to as the "narcs", so maybe that and TV have a lot to do with that thought.
Other than that, I deal with drugs in seven general categories, of which opiates are one. Opiates are often referred to as narcotic analgesics. The analgesic being a term meaning pain reliever.
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Police officer
December 18th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I suppose you would consider it cop slang for any illegal drug. Same as tweeker for a meth head, Chester for child molesters, and turd ball for criminals.
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