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What are the dangers of opiates?
In 1821 Thomas de Quincy described his experiences of opium abuse in his book Confessions of an English Opium Eater. Later, morphine was used widely as a painkiller during the American Civil War, but many veterans became addicted. In 1875, chemists trying to find a less addictive form of morphine made heroin. At first, no-one realised how addictive heroin was - it was used in cough mixture. Addiction to heroin is now a serious problem in many parts of the world.Enlarge
Morphine was used as a painkiller during the American Civil War, but many veterans became addicted.
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