Question

Which of the following statements about opiates is NOT true?

1) The most commonly abused opiate is codeine.
2) AIDS is a significant risk factor for many heroin users.
3) The opiate habit is expensive.
4) Opiates are often combined with adulterants that can have toxic effects.
5) Opiate use in a pregnant woman can produce a drug dependency in the child she is carrying.

Answer 1

The statement that is NOT true is that codeine is the most commonly abused opiate; actually, drugs like heroin and fentanyl are of much greater concern, especially given the current opioid crisis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT true about opiates is: 1) The most commonly abused opiate is codeine. While codeine does have abuse potential, it is not the most commonly abused opiate. Heroin, for example, has historically been a major drug of abuse due to its high potency and the intense euphoria it produces. Heroin and other opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are of much greater concern, especially given the opioid crisis that began in the 1990s, which was largely fueled by the overprescription of opioid painkillers.

Opioids like heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone can be highly addictive, with the potential to cause severe dependence and health risks, including the risk of contracting diseases like AIDS through intravenous use. The use of opioids during pregnancy can indeed cause dependency in the unborn child. Additionally, the opiate habit is known to be expensive, and substances sold on the street are often adulterated with toxic substances, further posing significant health risks to users.