“but wait, i can save you, free you from the great danger. look, here is a potent drug. take it to circe's halls – its power alone will shield you from the fatal day. let me tell you of all the witch's subtle she'll mix you a potion, lace the brew with drugs but she'll be powerless to bewitch you, even so – this magic herb i give will fight her spells.” what is the meaning of the word potent as it is used above?

The meaning of the word potent as it is used in the excerpt is strong.

Explanation:

The Drug is presented as something that is so strong that can fight against the powers of any sorcerer no matter how powerful she is, and at the same time it is presented as a strong armor against any damage that can come over you, it is such a strong drug that it doesn't only protect you it fight back, which makes it a strong soldier.

citizens are given 25 years of life to prove their worth to society; if they fail to do great things