In the late 1800s, opium was a popular, commonly available drug. Drug users frequented opium dens which dotted the ‘Wild West’ region of America. It was smuggled in and sold by Chinese immigrants who came here to work on the railroads.
There is a typical picture of the western cowboy drowning himself in whiskey at a bar after a rough ride on the dirt roads. It was more likely however, that he was prostrate in a dimly lit room, smoking opium in the arms of an...
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