SAD STORY OF NARCOTICS TRACED IN 'OBLIVION'

The international illicit drug business generates $400 billion
worldwide, about the same as the oil industry. But the wars against
drugs, often launched in the United States and Britain, cannot be won.

This depressing assertion is backed by startling examples in "The
Pursuit of Oblivion: A Global History of Narcotics" by Richard
Davenport-Hines.

He tells the story across five centuries of addicts and users:
monarchs, prime ministers, great writers and composers, wounded
soldiers, high-powered businessmen, playboys, pop stars and happy
young people on a spree. It is thoroughly researched and expertly written.

The author argues that "Absolute sobriety is not a natural or primary
human state," and that "drug use is a natural part of human
experience." Here, he is way off-base. Using illicit drugs, with often
catastrophic effects, cannot be labeled a natural part of living.

An estimated 15 million Americans were users of illicit drugs in 1999;
world production of opium tripled and coca (used to make cocaine)
doubled between 1985 and 1996.

William Wilberforce, the British politician who campaigned against
slavery in the 18th century, suffered agonizing intestinal pains and
took small doses of opium. He was addicted for the rest of his life.

George IV in England (1760-1830) depended on laudanum, a tincture of
opium. After wrenching his ankle doing a highland fling, he started
taking the drug and continued all his life.

American writer Jack Kerouac recalled breaking open Benzedrine
(amphetamine) inhalers and immersing the contents in Coca-Cola or
coffee. "Benny has made me see a lot," he said. He later died of drink.

LSD, derived from a fungus called ergot that grows on grasses, was
first reported in medical literature in 1947 by Swiss pharmaceutical
company Sandoz of Basle. It was used on Swiss psychiatric
outpatients.

The CIA, under director Allen Dulles, used LSD in a secret research
program in 1953 that looked into mind-control drugs. Massive doses
were given to inmates at a prison hospital for addicts. "Much of this
research was scandalous," says the author; the work was canceled after
years of illicit operations.

"Global Oblivion" is depressing to read on two counts. First, it
describes in vivid detail the results of drug overdoses -- vomiting,
screaming fits and various mental demons. Second, it points a finger
at cruel U.S. policies aimed at accusing drug addicts of being criminals.

Richards, of Zionsville, is president of Euro-Link Public Relations
and Marketing Co.