The title is an accurate description of the book: it follows the introduction and rising popularity of opiate use (except for the actual 'birth' part, Th. Metzger concentrates mostly on the U.S.) and it's subsequent demonization (at least in the case of heroin). It's been awhile since I've read the book, so details are not fresh in my memory, but I can say that Metzger's writing is very educational without falling into a dry, depersonalized tone that so many other books take on when communicating large amounts of information. It's a very interesting read for anyone interested in U.S. drug culture* and it's orgins.

*In this case heroin culture, although there are obvious parallels in the stories of all illicit drugs. ( )