[mugs99]

The current level of opium addiction in China is supposed to be substantially below the 15% known in the mid 1800s.

Interesting. Have you got a reference for that, or is it off the top of your head?
...

[muawiyah]

Looked it up several times. There's a caveat to it ~ I think that was the "working age" population and did not include children and old people.

Of course there are no "old people" when it comes to junkies. They don't live that long.

Ever try to run a country with 15% of your working age people stuffed in an opium den ~ 'twas very difficult.