Seeing the debate of what pharmakeia means I think it may help to try to explain.
The word 'pharmacon' φάρμᾰκον has multiple uses which the word 'drug' encompasses the most. It is also translated as cure, potion, medicine, poison, sorcery, and in more other ways. This demonstrates why things shouldn't always be interpreted to the utmost literality.
The use of drugs (pharmakeia) i.e. druggery, could be what is referred to in Gal. 5:20 and Rev. 18:23. The sorcery interpretation could be taken from observation of the use of concoctions and potions in divinatory and shamanistic rituals. Such a thing could have been sought to be avoided because of the potential it has to give people a false sense of inspiration from the perspective of the NT authors. The recreational drug use of today would seem to be divorced from this spiritist aspect, yet the possible admonitions of the NT writers may still be observed in the instances of drugged individuals exhibiting deliria.
A meaning of poison might also be possible taken together with other things in the pertinent contexts: murder, fornication, theft, falsehood, but also however cowardice, idolatry, and unbelief.
Latin uses derivatives of venenum from where 'venom' is derived, such as veneficium (the act of poisoning, poisonous substance, the preparation of magic potions, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, magic potion) and veneficus (poisoner, sorcerer, wizard).
One Middle English use of the word (venym) was for a potion or liquid used for dyeing, which is one of the ways Greek 'pharmacon' was used.
The word pharmacon also happens to be attested in the English language.
Here are a couple of interesting and illustrative takes from classical Greek literature.
Euripides Bacchae
For two things, young man, [275] are first among men: the goddess Demeter—she is the earth, but call her whatever name you wish; she nourishes mortals with dry food; but he who came afterwards, the offspring of Semele (i.e. Dionysus), discovered a match to it, the liquid drink of the grape, and introduced it [280] to mortals. It releases wretched mortals from grief, whenever they are filled with the stream of the vine, and gives them sleep, a means of forgetting their daily troubles, nor is there another cure (pharmacon) for hardships. He who is a god is poured out in offerings to the gods, [285] so that by his means men may have good things.
Hippocrates, Aphorismi, Ch. 1, Pt. 24
Use purgative medicines (pharmakeia) sparingly in acute diseases, and at the commencement, and not without proper circumspection.
In the past magic, sorcery, and healing existed jointly and were not always distinguished. It's believed cures to many ailments in the world today may lie hidden within the practices of remote tribes. Bushman's Secret (2006) and The Shaman's Apprentice (2001), related to the book of the same name, are two documentaries which discuss the subject.