In the 1970s, opium poppy cultivation peaked in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia, becoming a major source of heroin production. This surge in cultivation had profound implications for global drug trafficking and public health, influencing art, literature, and culture. The region's role in the opium trade highlighted the complexities of drug policy and international relations. The legacy of this period continues to affect contemporary discussions about drug enforcement and addiction.

The peak of opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle in 1970 inspired poetry that critiqued war and globalization. Poets like Adrienne Rich addressed the socio-political implications of opium trade, using their work to explore themes of addiction, exploitation, and resistance.