Category: Drug addiction

Once widely abused for their sedating effects in the mid-20th century, the street drug called Reds is the barbiturate secobarbital, most commonly known by its brand name, Seconal. Historically packaged in bright red bullet-shaped capsules, 'reds' were largely replaced by benzodiazepines in clinical practice due to their extremely high potential for fatal overdose and severe, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

The chemical formula C10H15N represents the compound methamphetamine, a powerful and highly addictive central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is predominantly known for its illicit use. A small, controlled portion of this compound is used in prescription medication, while the vast majority is illegally manufactured and distributed. Understanding the pharmacology of C10H15N is crucial for grasping its effects and the severe dangers associated with its abuse.

In 2023, bupropion was one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States, highlighting its widespread use as a legitimate prescription drug. This fact makes it critical to distinguish between accurate pharmaceutical terminology and street slang, especially when users encounter questions like, **what is the drug boo?** This term refers to illicit substances like marijuana or methamphetamine and is not a pharmaceutical medication like the similarly named antidepressant, bupropion.

In the 1930s, U.S. drug czar Harry J. Anslinger propagated the idea that marijuana was a dangerous substance, leading to tragic outcomes for young people, and even co-authored an article claiming the drug was an "assassin of youth". While the term originally served as moral panic propaganda against cannabis, modern pharmacology and current overdose statistics point to far more dangerous substances as the true threats to today's youth.