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Drugs are with us since the beginning of our history. Alcohol and other psychoactive drugs were included in the nutrition of first humans and numerous archeological findings indicate that regular use of alcohol, opium, cannabis and coca was present some thousand years ago. Agriculture has empowered us to produce large quantities of such substances. Several of them have known a world diffusion following transoceanic travels since the 15° century such as coffee, tobacco, wine and opium. Massive culture has allowed prices to be significantly lowered. Usual medicine use has been transformed in mass usage leading to addiction risks. Drugs have always been present with us but have been considered and used differently depending on cultures and eras. Drugs such as coffee, tobacco and alcohol are sold freely in Occident while opium, coca and cannabis are prohibited. These six drugs are diffused all over the world and represent a huge part of human economy. This paper investigates their specific history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]