Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Categories: History | North America |

The first opium dens in the United States appeared in the Chinatown of San Francisco in the 1840s and 1850s and soon captured all segments of the population. The heyday of use occurred in the 80-90s of the XIX century, which coincided with the formation of the teetotalers ' movement. 

A container with 5 ounces of opium (about 140 g) cost eight dollars, it could be bought mainly in Chinese shops. In the dens, customers were provided with beds or carpets on which they could relax and smoke a intoxicating mixture, and everything necessary for smoking. 

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century
Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century
Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

In San Francisco and California, opium was particularly readily available.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Although representatives of both sexes were fond of opium, women were given pipes of the worst quality, since the Chinese thought that after women they spoiled.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

By that time, the drug had spread far to the east: to New York, Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Both men and women of the middle and upper classes visited the brothels.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

A reporter for The Examiner newspaper wrote in an article in 1882 that he saw "two girls no older than 17 years old dressed as if for a Sunday picnic" in an opium den in San Francisco.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

To break the bad habit, the federal government of Theodore Roosevelt passed the Food and Medical Products Quality Act in 1906, which required prescribing on the packaging of a product that it contains dangerous and addictive substances.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

In 1914, the federal Harrison Drug Law was issued, according to which anyone who manufactured, mixed, imported, sold, distributed any form of cocaine and opiates was obliged to pay a tax.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

By the beginning of World War II, opium dens had almost disappeared, although one establishment at 295 Broome Street in New York continued to operate until 1957.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

The year is 1890.

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Sweet datura: photos of opium dens in the USA of the XX century

Keywords: USA | North America | History | Opium | Brothel | XX century

     

source