US efforts to contain the spread of Communism in Asia involve forging alliances with tribes and warlords inhabiting the areas of the “Golden Triangle”, an expanse covering Laos, Thailand and Burma, thus providing accessibility and protection along the southeast border of China.

In order to maintain their relationship with the warlords while continuing to fund the struggle against communism, the US and France supply the drug warlords and their armies with ammunition, arms and air transport for the production and sale of opium.

This results in an explosion in the availability and illegal flow of heroin into the United States and into the hands of drug dealers and addicts.