THE OPIUM HISTORY OF EASTERN THRACE (1927-1933): INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DYNAMICS

Authors : Okan CEYLAN

Pages : 141-167

Doi:10.33431/belgi.1029606

View : 17 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2022-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Opium poppy that is one of the native crops of Anatolia has been known for centuries in the Mediterranean geography. Opium that was one of the important commodities in the 19th century is a juice of opium poppy. Opium poppy is a multi-dimensional crop. In this context, it is in the group of oil crop, forage crop, cash crop, and medicinal and aromatic plants. Since it is medicinal and aromatic plants, it is demanded by pharmaceutical industry. However, opium is considered as one of the reasons of drug addiction at the same time. In other words, it contains two contradictions within itself such as both therapeutical drug and narcotic drug at the same time. This study analyses the social, political, and economic dynamics of opium in Eastern Thrace within the context of the opium policy of Turkey and opium issue at an international level in the 20th century. In fact, in pursuit of the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, the loss of Dedeağaç Port and the Western Thrace hinterlands of Edirne directed the region to İstanbul market. As it is in the example of opium, this situation caused the economic competition of Eastern Thrace with Anatolian provinces. However, the data that take part in literature as to opium poppy farming in Thrace is very limited and dispersed. This study observes the local press of the region, the reports of Turkish Statistical Institute, the Official Gazette, proceedings of the parliaments, the public records of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, and secondary literature. Thus, the reasons for the encouragement of opium cultivation in Thrace, opium poppy farming, the production of opium, and marketing mechanisms are evaluated in the conditions of the period. In this context, it gives a new point of view based on the geographical position of Thrace.
Keywords : Opium Trade, Opium Poppy Farming, Eastern Thrace, Pharmaceutical Industry, Added Value Production