他们把鸦片作为镇静剂，而不是作为麻醉剂。

They use opium as a sedative, rather than as a narcotic.

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

麻醉剂一种能使人上瘾的药剂，如鸦片，能够减轻疼痛，改变心情和行为，通常导致沉睡或麻木。

An addictive drug, such as opium, that reduces pain, alters mood and behavior, and usually induces sleep or stupor. Natural and synthetic narcotics are used in medicine to control pain.

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