Books

Martin Booth, Opium: A History. New York: St. Martin's, 1996.

Booth traces opium's history, from the first evidence of poppy cultivation through the drug wars of today. He explores opium's uses in different cultures, its international political implications, and its horrifying ramifications for addicts.

David T. Courtwright, Dark Paradise: A History of Opiate Addiction in America. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001. This book investigates opiate use in America from the mid-1800s to the present day. The author explores the early use of opiates in medicine, complications of addiction, and what he views as the failure of government strategies to stop the flow of opiates into America.

Drug Abuse—Research Shows Treatment Is Effective, but Benefits May Be Overstated. Washington, DC: General Accounting Office Report, April 27, 1998. This government publication independently evaluates the effectiveness of drug treatment programs and verifies the results of studies it reviews.

Drug...