The Nineteenth and Twentieth Century saw the introduction of narcotics in Western society, where previously no indigenous tradition existed in the use of opiates and cocaine. Initially, narcotics were welcomed, first in medical circles and then spread to wide usage within the population, originally believing that the use of such substances was quite innocent. Thomas DeQuincy experimented with and described the effects of morphine in Confessions of an English Opium-Eater. The use of morphine continued uninterrupted for more than a century until in 1914 the United States passed the "Harrison Narcotics Tax Act" which made possession of morphine without medical prescription illegal. Shortly before that, Heroine was introduced, initially with the same naivete as that surrounding morphine about the addictive qualities, heroine was introduced in cough sirup for children. Experimenting with heroine and becoming addict to it in the 1950s, William S. Burroughs was not among the first users, but perhaps among the first users introducing widespread use in the population.

The introduction and use of cocaine ran almost parallel to that of opium. However, while morphine was mostly used as a painkiller, cocaine was noted for its stimulating and invigorating properties. In the United States it was given to the (African-American) work force to improve its performance and endurance. Explorers took Forced March cocaine tablets on their expeditions to the poles.

In 1878, the Dutch transplanted coca shrubs to their colonies in the Dutch Indies (now Indonesia) and started the large-scale production of coca leaves, a crop which was at first exported to Germany. In 1900 the Dutch Colonial bank invested in setting up the Dutch Cocaine Factory (NCF) (now part of Akzo Nobel), which soon grew to be one of the world's largest producers of cocaine, morphine, heroine, and later novocain and efedrine.

The historical novel De handelsreiziger van de Nederlandsche Cocaïne fabriek (English: The Cocaine Salesman) is based on historical facts and describes the history of the widespread addiction to cocaine in Europe and the role of the Dutch Cocaine Factory in it.

The main character in the novel is the dandy-ish Lucien Hirschland, the very successful dealer of the Dutch Cocaine Factory (NCF). Especially during the First World War, enjoying the neutrality of the Netherlands the NCF supplied cocaine to both the British pharmaceutical industry (Forced March) and the German army, who gave it to their soldiers to improve their endurance and performance on the battle field. Hirschland can afford a comfortable life-style on the commission he earns. During the interbellum while international law with regard to narcotics is tightened, the sale and distribution of cocaine goes underground, as both in the Netherlands and Germany privately owned enterprises are set up by Hirschland's former colleagues, and the production, distribution and use of cocaine increasingly takes place in a shady and criminal environment, with sinister connections to the rise of fascism.

The strength of the novel De handelsreiziger van de Nederlandsche Cocaïne fabriek is that the whole story is seen through the eyes of the naive dealer for the factory, who is completely oblivious to political developments, history and the effect of cocaine on people around him. While he is not a user, Hirschland barely seems aware of the addictive properties of the product he sells. He is unaware how his cousin Pola becomes increasingly addicted, as he keeps giving her cocaine. The British war veteran Robin Ryder, who Swaantje, Hirschland's sister, has taken into their home, is addicted as a result of the Forced March tablets, he was given in the trenches. His stay increasingly leads to problems, as Hirschland realizes that Ryder is addicted. However, Hirschland never really seems to grasp how his former colleague Olyrook, and his friend Palacky, and the German Biedermann are getting involved in the illegal production and distribution of cocaine, and without scruples try to manipulate him. Hirschland may not be aware, but the reader gradually realizes the role of the management of the factory and the Dutch government in the prolongation of the production and distribution of narcotics. ( )

interesting topic and era, cocaine production during the first world war for both the German and British armies. ( )

Indrukwekkend, informatief en spannend. Een mooie combi die niet altijd lukt, maar hier wel ( )

Merendeels goed geschreven, maar de persoon van de handelsreiziger is af en toe irritant naïef. ( )