History of Opium

            Although, it is knows that opium originated in the Mediterranean area. Who discovered, it is still unknown. Nevertheless, some evidence both in archaeology and literatures indicate that people in Greece, Rome, Persia, and Egypt, who called this plant “OPIUM” meaning “FRUIT JUICE”. From the evidence, we have learned how to use opium both as narcotic and medicine since 1,000 B.C. For example, more than 3,000 years-old ivory opium pipes were found in Cyprus. Some Greek epics, e.g. Iliad and Odessy, Helen of troy as well as prayers to a Greek Goddess, Mediter, mentioned the medicinal quality of opium. In addition, in his book of medicine Hippocrates, a Greek physician who is considered the father of medicine, also recognized the use of opium as an affective drug for the treatment of various disease. It is believed that about B.C. 356-323 Alexander the Great took the opium to India and China later on. Monopolixed opium trade in China, Britain not only gained an immense profit, but also created conflicts with China. Eventually, the conflicts brought about the Opium War between the two countries in which China lost. Later , during the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century, several hill tribes brought opium with them while they were moving down from China though mountainous area along Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar boundaries. This is how the opium came and prospered in the Golden Triangle.