Final answer:
Three narcotics classed as opiates are Morphine, Heroin, and Oxycodone. They are powerful analgesics derived from or chemically related to compounds found in the opium poppy, with a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three drugs that are classed as narcotics, also known as opiates, include Morphine, Heroin, and Oxycodone. These substances are considered narcotics due to their potent analgesic effects, which are utilized to relieve pain. Morphine and codeine are derived directly from the opium poppy plant, while heroin is created through the chemical modification of morphine to increase its potency.
Oxycodone is a synthetic opioid that is used to manage moderate to severe pain and is structurally similar to morphine and heroin. The misuse and abuse of these opioid drugs are a significant public health concern, as they have a high potential for causing addiction and overdose. The opioid crisis has been exacerbated by the legal distribution of opioid pain medications leading to increased addiction rates. These drugs work by attaching to specific receptors in the brain spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract altering pain perception and often causing euphoria.