Opium

Tracing the long and often volatile story of this ancient drug, Opium interweaves strands of science, medicine, and history, revealing what opium is, how it works, how it is used, and how it affects the body. From the Opium Wars of the nineteenth century to the contemporary challenge of regulating its cultivation, opium has had a big impact on governments and societies around the world. Author Thomas M. Santella also examines current teenage trends and attitudes toward the drug,...
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Tracing the long and often volatile story of this ancient drug, Opium interweaves strands of science, medicine, and history, revealing what opium is, how it works, how it is used, and how it affects the body. From the Opium Wars of the nineteenth century to the contemporary challenge of regulating its cultivation, opium has had a big impact on governments and societies around the world. Author Thomas M. Santella also examines current teenage trends and attitudes toward the drug, along with the legal ramifications of its use. Packed with full-color photographs, illustrations, fact-filled sidebars, a helpful glossary, and more, Opium is a well-grounded introduction to the powerful drug that has both aided and afflicted humanity since before recorded history.