cut drugs
Meaning
To adulterate or dilute illicit drugs with other substances, usually less potent or inert materials, in order to increase their volume and profitability.
Origin
The concept of "cutting" to increase profit is as old as commerce itself, with unscrupulous merchants in medieval marketplaces diluting wines with water or bulking out precious spices with cheaper fillers. This deceptive practice, aimed at maximizing volume and minimizing cost, found its most infamous modern application in the burgeoning illicit drug trade of the 20th century. Here, the term "cut drugs" specifically refers to the act of blending narcotics like cocaine or heroin with inert or less potent substances—anything from baking soda to talcum powder. The aim remains the same: to stretch a small supply into a larger, more profitable one, sacrificing purity for profit, and creating a dangerous gamble for the end user.
Examples
- The dealer was arrested after police found him trying to cut the cocaine with baking soda.
- Cutting drugs is a dangerous practice that can lead to unpredictable effects and increased harm for users.