Heroin: An Illustrated History

Heroin, discovered in 1898, was prescribed for therapeutic use in Canada until the early 1950s. However, illegal heroin use became the focus of drug prohibition advocates and law enforcement, who painted it as highly addictive and destructive. Systemic racism was the impetus for our first anti-heroin laws, which by the 1930s became the focus of law enforcement. This book highlights the structural violence of drug policy that uses prohibition and criminalization as the main response to drug use.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2022
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

Heroin, a captivating chronicle spanning two centuries, delves into the intricate history of Canadian heroin regulation. Susan Boyd sheds light on our failure to effectively address the devastating overdose death epidemic, stemming from the criminalization of drug users. Moreover, she highlights the enduring resistance to harm-reduction policies, which have persisted for decades.

Heroin, initially discovered in 1898, was initially hailed as a groundbreaking medicine, successfully marketed as a potent pain reliever and cough suppressant. In Canada, it was prescribed for therapeutic purposes until the early 1950s. However, the illegal use of heroin soon captured the attention of drug prohibition advocates and law enforcement, who portrayed it as an extremely addictive and destructive substance.

The impetus for the first anti-heroin laws in Canada was rooted in systemic racism. The race, gender, and class of heroin users played a significant role in shaping drug control policies, which by the 1930s had become the primary focus of law enforcement. Flawed ideas about heroin and its users have permeated drug law and policy for decades, perpetuating a cycle of harm and injustice.

This book draws upon a wealth of documentary evidence and the firsthand experiences of individuals who have used or used heroin, as well as drug user unions and harm-reduction advocates. These sources provide invaluable insights into the structural violence of drug policy, which relies heavily on prohibition and criminalization as its primary response to drug use.

Through its comprehensive exploration, Heroin sheds light on the complex dynamics between drug policy, societal attitudes, and the lives of those affected by heroin use. It serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug regulation, one that prioritizes harm reduction, treatment, and support for those in need.

Dimension: 25 x 20 x 1 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773635163