Introduction
The tools for the fight against drugs were formed not so long ago, and the experience of the USA largely influenced them. In the second half of the 20th century, politicians decided to use the term “war on drugs,” implementing a new approach both at the legislative level and in the struggle for the minds of citizens (Crandall, 2020). This paper will examine the fight against drugs in the 1970s when major cities’ streets were tumultuous. These numbers point to a severe drug addiction that is equivalent to an epidemic. Even though the government did not manage to stop substance distribution, it has succeeded in establishing stricter laws.
Causes of Drug Problems in the US
The roots of the “war on drugs” in the United States go back to the 19th century, and the first attempts of an organized fight against drug use in the United States date back to 1914, when Congress passed a law proposed by the representative from New York, Francis Harisson (Crandall, 2020). It was in the 1960s that new drugs, primarily LSD, became widespread (Crandall, 2020). Moreover, the Vietnam War led to a sharp increase in the number of drug addicts in the country (Sacco, 2014). The same effect was caused in the USA by two world wars.
At the same time, in the sixties, anti-drug departments were seriously restructured. Richard Nixon, who became president in 1969, quickly showed that he was ready to fight drug trafficking decisively. To restrict the trafficking of marijuana, the border between the United States and Mexico was nearly closed for a month in September 1969. It came out that drug dealers were fast rebuilding, and drugs from the Middle East started to arrive in the United States, even though the operation prevented the arrival of a sizable portion of Mexican drugs.
The Major Policies Influencing Enforcement of Drug Laws in the US
The 70s
Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, making him the first American president to launch a “war on drugs.” The DEA, an organization that brought together all the prior American drug enforcement agencies, was established three years later. The 1970 Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act is a US federal law that, with subsequent revisions, mandates the pharmaceutical industry to ensure physical safety and stringent accounting of specific types of medications.
This drug-related policy was enacted on October 27, 1970 (Sacco, 2014). Under Title II of this policy, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was issued to classify different drugs (Sacco, 2014). Controlled substances are categorized into five lists or classes based on their potential for misuse, approved medicinal uses, and generally acknowledged safety when used under medical supervision.
The CSA policy primarily entailed stricter supervision; for instance, removing numerous minor dealers resulted from a thorough check of autos at the Mexican border. However, this soon resulted in the growth of substantial and structured suppliers, and Mexico joined the conflict in 1975, leading to the first Mexican drug war – Operation Condor (Crandall, 2020). The government used American-provided planes to spray defoliants that killed marijuana bushes for two years. As a result, only tiny drug dealers who were unable to reach a security agreement with the government suffered.
The efforts to eliminate drugs made by the government brought meager results. The Watergate crisis and the unsteady political climate also reduced public confidence in politicians. As a consequence, parents were growing more concerned about drug usage by their preschool-age children and teenagers as Colombia’s famed drug cartels became a vital element of international politics and trade (Drugs and the drug laws, 2005). Therefore, the public’s response was marked by significant doubts about whether the government was able to combat the plague of modern times – drugs.
The 80s
Moving closer to the 1980s, parents were even more preoccupied with their children’s future. Thus, they joined the campaign “Just Say No” to show they care about the nation’s prosperity (Drugs and the drug laws, 2005). This initiative was launched to revolt against drug distribution and attract the authorities to the issue.
The 90s-00s
The Clinton Administration implemented techniques and policy actions to lower methamphetamine addiction, production, and trafficking in the 1990s (Drugs and the drug laws, 2005). Later, the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003 was introduced to punish those who spread drugs because it severely harmed youth. However, since the 2000s, marijuana has received much attention as a treatment and has been legalized in some states. Moreover, some groups have started using LSD as a means to fight depression. The problem of drugs still causes much concern since some individuals pretend to use them as a cure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drugs have always been an enemy to society, which has been difficult to combat. Numerous attempts to stop their spread were unsuccessful, making smuggling and clandestine trafficking spread. The 1970 Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act was an extra effort to contribute to making the nation healthier. Nonetheless, it was not as effective as expected, causing a drug war and massive public preoccupation. Even though some drugs are legalized now, they still harm people.
References
Crandall, R. (2020). Drugs and Thugs: The history and future of America’s war on drugs. Yale University Press.
Drugs and the drug laws: Historical and cultural contexts. (2020). King County Bar Association Drug Policy Project. Web.
Sacco, L. (2014). Drug enforcement in the United States: History, policy, and trends. Congressional Research Service, 1-26. Web.