Part I portrays an evolutionary "Eden" at the dawn of the drug wars, when plants started to produce chemicals as defense against herbivores. The chemicals repelled many animals yet attracted others, who managed to circumvent the poisonous effects by developing safe feeding strategies. This made it possible for animals to minimize aversive effects while maximizing desirable effects, turning poisons into intoxicants and forming the new chemical bond known as addiction. Humans learned about the nature of these chemicals and bonds by watching animals. There is little abuse of intoxicating but toxic chemicals among animals, who use the low doses found in the natural plants and avoid participating in social behavior while they are intoxicated. Part II examines human behavior vis-a-vis intoxicants, particularly in America. The discussion develops the thesis that the human pursuit of intoxication is motivated by a strong biological drive that pits individual needs against those of society. The lessons gleaned from the animals show how humans can manage this natural force through the education and technology that is our human distinction. 980-item bibliography, subject index.