4 ms·
Why does this article describe these stimulants as "narcotics"? They are neither opioids nor illegal when prescribed, so it seems like a needlessly provocative,
by _acme 10y ago
Why does this article describe these stimulants as "narcotics"? They are neither opioids nor illegal when prescribed, so it seems like a needlessly provocative, and factually incorrect, description.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- chillingeffect 10y agoBecause the authoritarian state uses an in-language to signal virtue, overstepping denotations. These are the same people who call non-cops "civilians."
- linkregister 10y agoCalling non-cops "civilians" irritates me to no end. Occasionally you'll see journalists using this terminology as well.
- drjesusphd 10y agoMy favorite is when they have the nerve to call vets "civilians".
- mnw21cam 10y agoI'm not sure my cat would appreciate having his annual check-up and booster with a non-civilian vet.
- DiabloD3 10y agoYeah, that never ends well. Vets have a certain ability to destroy someone's entire existence using nothing but words and gigantic balls, leaving nothing but a burning crater in the ground, without having to have any imposing threat of violence (ie, how cops are trained to escalate the situation through intimidation, vets don't need such a tactic).
- Retra 10y agoIt's not only police that call non-police civilians. Dictionaries do as well.
- marssaxman 10y agoIt's cop talk. The current US DEA emerged from the "Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs" which came from the "Federal Bureau of Narcotics" which came from the "Federal Narcotics Control Board" established by the "Narcotics Tax Act" in 1914, back when Prohibition was a thing and they were worried about opium. Law enforcement culture has thus gone off into the weird by themselves, and they use "narcotic" to mean "any forbidden substance".
- dschep 10y agoAlso, it's counter to basic english/etymology. Narcotics are drugs with sleep-inducing properties. Easy way to remmber that: it's the same base as narcolepsy.