Most civilizations, at least in your meaning of the term, never had to deal with the problem much. For much of Europe's history, the only known drug of consequence was booze, and it wasn't easy to make. Economy's simply weren't diversified enough that some could be drunks, they'd have nothing to pay for booze with and no one was going to let them freeload and drink all the good stuff besides.
Most of the drugs that are a problem for us are late 19th century or 20th century inventions. Sure, there are some others here and there... in their most diluted, least problematic forms. But that's about it.
A better question than yours would be "when has criminalizing drugs ever done any of the things we might hope it would do?"... but it's a difficult question that most people want to avoid. That they're willing to accept dishonest, fallacious answers for.
Most of the drugs that are a problem for us are late 19th century or 20th century inventions. Sure, there are some others here and there... in their most diluted, least problematic forms. But that's about it.
A better question than yours would be "when has criminalizing drugs ever done any of the things we might hope it would do?"... but it's a difficult question that most people want to avoid. That they're willing to accept dishonest, fallacious answers for.