Laupus Now Exhibiting an Exploration of Mind-Altering Drugs

Laupus Library is now hosting the national traveling exhibit, “Pick Your Poison: Intoxicating Pleasures & Medical Prescriptions,” through October 31 in the Evelyn Fike Laupus 4^th floor gallery. The six-banner exhibition explores factors that have shaped the changing definitions of some of our most potent drugs, from medical miracle to social menace.

Mind-altering drugs have been used throughout the history of America. While some remain socially acceptable, others are outlawed because of their toxic and intoxicating characteristics. These classifications have shifted at different times in history and will continue to change.

A digital gallery offering a selection of digitized, historical texts can be found as part of the online version of the exhibition available at www.nlm.nih.gov/pickyourpoison. These images provide viewers with new avenues to explore beyond the exhibition. Educators will also find expanded resources online for middle school and college level classroom use.

“Pick Your Poison: Intoxicating Pleasures and Medical Prescriptions,” was produced by the National Library of Medicine, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Exhibit viewing is offered during library operating hours posted at lib.ecu.edu/hours/laupus. For more information, contact Kelly Rogers Dilda at 252-744-2232 or rogerske@ecu.edu.