2nd Partial Magazine The International E-Magazine on Adolescent Health | Page 6

Did You Know These About The Opium?

By: Rafael Aguilar, Hugo Elizondo, Rodrigo Ambriz

Did you know that Opium was harvested since the Mesopotamian ages and they called it “Joy Plant”, who knows why…?

Did you know that in the Opium was the main trade item between Greece and Egypt during their Old Kingdom?

Did you know that the father of medicine (Hippocrates) unveiled the magical stories of Opium, but still he accredited its usefulness for diseases?

Did you know that the drug was introduced to the East Asia by the Great Alexander in 330 B.C? What does this tells us…?

Did you know that in the 1300´s the Opium was “banned” for 200 years since the Holy inquisition thought of it devil-like since it was produced in Asia?

Did you know that the Opium was again introduced to Europe by the Portuguese since they smoked it when trading with China?

Did you know that in 1796, Opium became part of contraband?

Did you know that 3 years later, Emperor Kia King, makes opium illegal?

Did you know that British caused a Civil War in China because they smuggled Opium into china, making them addicted to it, even though it was illegal?

Did you know that this several war were known as the Opium wars and caused China to lose Hong Kong and Kowloon?