Everyone did it; History of narcotics.('The Pursuit of Oblivion: A Global History of Narcotics, 1500-2000')(Review)

The Economist (US) | November 24, 2001 | Copyright

"ABSOLUTE sobriety is not a natural or primary human state," asserts Richard Davenport-Hines at the beginning of this voluminous and comprehensive history of drug-taking. The evidence he produces is overwhelming. For the past three centuries (he barely glances at the previous two), humanity has found ever more ingenious and effective routes to oblivion. Until the second half of the 19th century, governments made little serious effort to intervene.

Apart from the ubiquitous desire to get stoned, the other constant attribute of the past is hypocrisy. Narcotics, it ...

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