Hall of Opium

This very incredible museum, Hall of Opium is located in northern Thailand and it is a model of perhaps how United Stares could begin to address its drug problem. There is not allowed photographs to be taken and

the format is both visual as well as movie presentation with powerful messages.

Opium originated in the Mediterranean area but it is now known who discovered it. It is believed opium was used 1000 BC and an iron opium pipe was discovered in Cyprus that was 3000 years old.

Alexander The Great in 356 took opium to China and India which eventually monopolized the trade in China

There were two Opium Wars, the first was  (1839–1842) was fought between China and Britain, and the second Opium War (1856–1860), was fought by Britain and France against China. In each case the foreign powers were victorious.

Foreign traders (primarily British) had been illegally exporting opium mainly from India to China since the 18th century, but that trade grew dramatically from about 1820. The resulting widespread addiction in China was causing serious social and economic disruption there.

The second was started again by the British in the end also ceded to the British the southern portion of the Kowloon Peninsula adjacent to Hong Kong.

In the 19th. C several Hill Tribes brought opium with them as they moved from China through the mountain regions of Laos, Thai and Myanmar borders. This is how the opium came and progressed in the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. The Mekong river is shown here from the Thailand side looking at Myanmar.

Myanmar and Afghanistan are leading heroin centers now. Thailand though has issues with Methamphentamine use.