The Opium Wars

The Opium Wars was the very first drug war in history.  It began when the Chinese government officials began their anti-opium campaign.  China's population were becoming over addicted to opium which hurt China's economy, people, and pride.  After the Chinese government began their anti-Opium Campaign,  The British were angered and were afraid that their economy and trade would be harshly affected.  Therefore they looked forward to the only solution, war.  When the Chinese government officials denied stopping their anti-opium campaign, the British sent out gun-ships and destroyed Chinese coastal cities.  

Great Britain of course won the Opium Wars against China.  The British had better warfare technology that China had not caught up to at the time.  After China was defeated, they were forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, and also the British supplementary Treaty of Bogue in 1843.