The history of opium is one of the most intriguing and fascinating stories ever witnessed. This substance, considered both a curse and a blessing, has been the focal point of more wars throughout the history of the world than oil.

The source of all the controversy and tragedy is the tiny poppy seed. The opium  it produces has been wreaking havoc throughout the world for centuries, all the while being the unprecedented pain-killing elixir of all times.

The abrupt change in the established standards of pain management in the United...