04-01-2009, 12:30 AM
What do you mean by narcotic. Narcotic is a vague term that can be very restrictive (i.e. only opiates), or legal (i.e. illegal drugs such as heroin or marijuana), or broadly descriptive (any substance that deadens or numbs the feelings, which is the original definition from Hippocrates). Many narcotics (legal sense) have the exact same effects (or substantially milder effects) as alcohol, so you could say that alcohol is a narcotic and it is legal in the US. Similarly, cigarettes can have a calming effect and so could also be called narcotics. Alcohol and cigarettes are arguably much more dangerous and widespread than cocaine, marijuana, etc.