History of Drugs in Texas

History of Drug Use

The use of illegal or non-prescription drugs has a long and storied history in this country and the rest of the world. Actually, the use of mind and mood altering drugs is nothing new and can be traced back to nomadic man who would regularly eat psychotropic mushrooms and other semi-toxic plants. The use of alcohol dates back thousands of years, while other forms of intoxicants like certain plants, berries , roots and seeds have long been known to have mind and mood altering effects.

Even in the prehistoric times, people drank the juices of mashed up berries that had already been exposed to airborne yeast, causing an intoxicating effect. The Sumerians regularly used opium in religious rituals and for personal use and even affectionately coined it the “Plant of Joy”. So it should be no surprise that by the time the United States came into existence in 1776 that drug use was already quite commonplace, and that this ancient epidemic would no doubt follow them into the new world.

History of Drug Use in Texas

The use of mind altering substances goes hand in hand with the formation of the Lone Star state. By the time Texas became part of the Union in 1845, the use of drugs in America was already widespread. And this would only continue to worsen over the next 50 years, especially in the state of Texas. By the turn of the 20th Century in 1900, there were actually a far higher percentage of people addicted to drugs than there are today. With powerful drugs like heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines all found in local pharmacies and in everyday medicinal tonics, there is little surprise why addiction rates began to skyrocket. But ironically enough, it wasn’t until comprehensive drug laws were put in place in 1914 all the way up the Omnibus Drug Act in 1988, that Texas would start to become the center of the illegal drug trade in North America.

Texas and the Illegal Drug Trade

Because many of the most popular and common drugs of the 20th century came from Mexico, or neighboring South American countries, Texas soon became ground zero for illegal drug trafficking in America. Because of Texas’s large border with Mexico, and wide-sprawling farms and ranches covering the country-side, made Texas an ideal place to bring in illegal drugs from Mexico and South America. And this is as true today as it was 100 years ago.

Drug use in the state of Texas is currently a major problem, as it is in many parts of the country. But because of Texas’s close proximity with the Mexican border, drugs are readily available all over the state, destroying countless lives every year. Drugs like Cocaine, Marijuana, Heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin, Crack, and PCP are all readily available throughout Texas, causing one of the worst drug problems in the nation. If you, or someone you care about, are currently struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, do not hesitate to speak with a drug treatment professional right away.