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The poppy's history transcends its association with the modern drug heroin. For millennia, the poppy plant has held a complex and multifaceted place in human culture. Ancient civilizations like those of Greece and Rome recognized its psychoactive properties, with figures like Pliny the Elder documenting its effects. However, the poppy's story goes beyond mere observation. In China, the forced trade of opium by Western powers during the 19th century's Opium Wars exemplifies the devastating social and economic consequences that poppy-derived substances can have. Even in the realm of literature, the famed English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge grappled with opium addiction, leaving an imprint on his works like 'Kubla Khan.' The poppy's journey through history serves as a reminder of both its potential benefits and the dangers associated with its misuse.