The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World

by Steven Johnson

(Plagues and political unrest have a long history of following the same cycles.)

You don't say?

Not exactly a “war on drugs” sentiment, although not entirely without merit medically: constipation is a reliable side effect of opiate abuse.

Take a few hits of opium and call me in the morning.

This book really has the best quotes to take out of context.