Voodoo pharmacology

Voodoo pharmacology is the belief that any drug, be it legal or illicit, robs the user of free will by creating an uncontrollable urge of craving and compulsion. The term is coined by Jacob Sullum in his book, "Saying Yes: In Defence of Drug Use" ["Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use" (2003) (ISBN 1585423181)] , where he alleges that this viewpoint is touted in governmental anti-drug propaganda which deliberately misleads the public about the actual dangers of taking recreational drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, etc. Such claims on the danger of these drugs is not discussed vigorously in peer-reviewed research, and there appears to be a move in public health to demonize certain drugs while the most widely used drugs of nicotine and alcohol contribute more deaths.

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