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drug

English translation: illegal substance

12:03 Feb 1, 2007
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Medical (general) / exclusion cryteria for clinical study
English term or phrase: drug
The subject has a history of substance abuse (defined as illicit drug use).
[what is 'drug' in this context? Can it be a medication or rather a substance other than medication?]
kgas
Poland
Local time: 00:38
Selected answer:illegal substance
Explanation:
This refers to a substance which is declared illegal for use/consumption in the particular country the report comes from (may be legal to use it in other countries, and may even be considered as medicine).
Selected response from:

William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 00:38
Grading comment
Thank you very much!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +12illegal substance
William [Bill] Gray
4 +2explanation
Ken Cox
5Taking hard drugs - the illegal kind
Anna Maria Augustine (X)


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +12
illegal substance


Explanation:
This refers to a substance which is declared illegal for use/consumption in the particular country the report comes from (may be legal to use it in other countries, and may even be considered as medicine).

William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 00:38
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 21
Grading comment
Thank you very much!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Paula Vaz-Carreiro
1 min
  -> Thanks, Paula!
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
5 mins
  -> Thanks, Vicky!
agree  Lorenia de la Vega
11 mins
  -> Thanks, Lorenia
agree  Enza Longo
18 mins
  -> Thanks, Enza!
agree  Jack Doughty
26 mins
  -> Thanks, Jack!
agree  David Moore (X)
46 mins
  -> Thanks, David. Here we can agree :-)
agree  Alfredo Tutino: IMHO the phrase might mean "use of illicit substance" but also "illicit use of a substance that might be legal to use in other situations or cases (e.g. barbiturates)". In other words, "illicit" can apply either to "use" or to "drug" - no way to tell
1 hr
  -> Good point, Alfredo. Thank you.
agree  Sophia Finos (X)
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Sophia.
agree  Alexander Demyanov
2 hrs
  -> Thank you, Alexander!
agree  kmtext
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, km.
agree  Michael Barnett: We in the profession usually refer to abuse of "illicit drugs" or "prescription drugs". "Illicit use of legal drugs" is not a construction that I commonly see.
10 hrs
  -> Thank you, Michael. That was important to hear.
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
1 day 7 hrs
  -> Thanks, Marju!
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3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Taking hard drugs - the illegal kind


Explanation:
*

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Note added at 5 mins (2007-02-01 12:09:07 GMT)
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Alternatively, the person could have a history of overdosing with sleeping tablets for example, or overdosing other very strong medication but it seems to be more along the lines of a drug addict in this context.

Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Local time: 00:38
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 27
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
explanation


Explanation:
The key point here is 'illicit use' -- i.e. use contrary to law.

There are many drugs (normally prescription drugs) that can be used legally as part of a prescribed medical treatment but can (and are) also be used illegally ('illicitly' is the formal term), typically by persons addicted to the drugs -- such as barbituates, amphetamines, anti-depressants, and morphine. Some countries also prohibit the use of certain drugs for any purpose (in NA, typically opium and heroin, certain amphetamine products, psychedelic drugs, cocaine, etc.).

Ken Cox
Local time: 00:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 15

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alfredo Tutino: IMHO the phrase might mean "use of illicit substance" but also "illicit use of a substance that might be legal to use in other situations or cases (e.g. barbiturates)". In other words, "illicit" can apply either to "use" or to "drug" - no way to tell.
50 mins
agree  Margaret Schroeder: Good explanations by both Ken and Alfredo.
7 hrs
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