That's an overly generous interpretation. For a long time, hydrocodone with APAP was scheduled less than pure hydrocodone. This is similar to denatured alcohol

That's an overly generous interpretation. For a long time, hydrocodone with APAP was scheduled less than pure hydrocodone. This is similar to denatured alcohol - designed to kill people that try to go around the law. I highly doubt the acetaminophen in vicodin is to limit abuse. Some of the pills I've seen are 750/5mg. Even a moderate addiction of 100mg a could easily kill you at that rate (that's 15g of acetaminophen). Though if you had no choice, a simple cold water extraction will eliminate enough of the acetaminophen to make it safe. While not quite as evil as all the deaths and stripping of civil liberties the "drug war" has caused, this is a pretty obviously wicked thing to do (while still ineffective).