Collection Spotlight

No matter how big or small, every artifact tells a story. While only a fraction of the objects and images in the Museum's collection, these eye-catching artifacts capture significant moments in the history of drugs and drug law enforcement.

Morphine Syrette

A morphine syrette originally packaged in the medical kit of a World War II soldier.

A medicine bottle wrapped in tan, printed paper next to a colorful card featuring a woman and her two children looking at a newspaper advertisement.

Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup

An advertisement and bottle of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, a patent medicine that contained morphine.

New York Times Magazine

This issue of The New York Times Magazine highlights Harlem drug dealer Nicky Barnes and how he earned the nickname "Mr. Untouchable."

Opium Order Form

An early 20th-century order form for opium, an addictive narcotic.

Opium Packing Stamp

An opium packing stamp used to mark packages of opium processed by a refinery in Afghanistan.

Opium Pillow

A ceramic headrest used by people who smoked opium.

Opium Pipe

Opium pipes were found in opium dens worldwide in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Pablo Escobar Life Mask

The life mask of notorious drug trafficker Pablo Escobar, a deceased leader of the Medellín Cartel.

Pentagon Rubble

Rubble from the Pentagon’s exterior wall, which was struck by American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001.

Photographs from the French Connection

Drug agents worked alongside French law enforcement to uncover numerous heroin smuggling operations during the 1950’s – 1960’s

19th Century Pill Machine

Pill machines were used every day in pharmacies to produce pills to have on hand as needed.

Poppy Scorer

A poppy scorer used by farmers to drain raw opium from poppy pods.