“ Side by side with the expansion of the legal market for prescribed amphetamines after World War II, a modest black market in the drugs also grew up. Early black-market patrons included in particular truck drivers trying to maintain schedules which called for long over-the-road hauls without adequate rest periods. Soon truck stops along the main transcontinental routes dispensed amphetamines as well as coffee and caffeine tablets to help the drivers stay awake. Students, who had long used caffeine tablets, now turned instead to these new amphetamine “pep pills” when cramming for exams. The use of amphetamines by athletes and by businessmen (and their secretaries) was reported as early as 1940.
Some funny things have been jabbered about The New Yorker’s article on “neuroenhancing” drugs. I particularly enjoyed how shocked the mag is students would use speed to cheat; the above quote is from Chapter 36 of the Consumers Union Report on Illicit and Licit Drugs of 1972. People have been using amphetamines for 70 years, New Yorker. You got scooped by Consumer Reports almost 40 years back.
3 years ago
