by Jean Cocteau from Opium: Diary of a Cure

Of all the drugs "the drug" is the most subtle. The lungs absorb its smoke instantaneously. The effect of a pipe is immediate. I am speaking of the real smokers. The amateurs feel nothing, they wait for dreams and risk being seasick, because the effectiveness of opium is the result of a pact. If we fall under its spell, we shall never be able to give it up.

To moralize to an opium addict is like saying to Tristan: "Kill Yseult. You will feel much better afterwards."

Photo: Flight, Strange Fruit (Author: Uwe Brock)