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Behind the U.S. War on Drugs: Why Nixon Made Drug Abuse Public Enemy No. 1
On June 17, 1971, then-President Richard Nixon officially declared drug abuse "Public Enemy No. 1" for the first time at a White House press conference. He stressed the need for a national offensive to combat this "enemy," a statement that attracted enormous media attention at the time and was followed by a series of government-led anti-drug policies and actions that opened the door to a period of drug control in the United States that continues to this day. War on drugs.
"In order to strike and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to launch a new all-out offensive."
Nixon's declaration is not only aimed at consumers of illegal drugs, but also at the entire industry chain including drug smugglers and producers. The spread of drugs is seen as a corruption of social morality and a threat to the structure and stability of American society. Nixon's policy changes emphasized the tension between law enforcement and public health, allowing the government to increase its crackdown on drug-related crime while ignoring the needs of public health and education.
With the promotion of drug prohibition policy, the drug classification system in the United States gradually took shape. Drugs are classified into different levels to control their use, but the roots of many of today's problems can be traced back to this choice during the Nixon era. Subsequent presidents continued and even expanded this policy, and over the next few decades, the anti-drug campaign continued to strengthen in terms of law enforcement, military involvement, and international cooperation.
"The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world."
Over time, people began to question the effectiveness of these policies. Since the 1990s, discussions on the medical and recreational use of marijuana have gradually increased, and many states have passed corresponding laws, which has led to obvious inconsistencies between state laws and national laws. Today, 38 states allow medical use and 24 states allow Although marijuana is legal for recreational use, the federal government still lists it as a substance with high abuse potential. This contradictory policy makes it more difficult to enforce the law.
In addition to marijuana, the 2023 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights pointed out the various problems caused by drug prohibition strategies, emphasizing that long-term punitive drug prohibition measures have failed to effectively prevent the production and consumption of a new wave of drugs. With the rise of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, the war on drugs seems to be raging.
Historical Background"Decades of drug prohibition strategies have proven ineffective in reducing the production and consumption of all types of drugs."
In the early 20th century, drug use in the United States was virtually unregulated. Opium use dates back to the Revolutionary War, and as time went on, the drug became common in American society. Social movements also emerged at different levels. On the one hand, there was the temperance movement advocating prohibition of alcohol, and on the other hand, there was growing concern about the use of drugs.
By 1909, the first U.S. federal law, the Smoking Opium Elimination Act, was enacted, marking the beginning of drug control. As the anti-drug policy progressed, the control of different types of drugs gradually increased, and during this period there was even the phenomenon of "America's first opioid crisis", which reflected the high level of addiction among social groups, especially women and veterans.
The Anslinger Era
Harry J. Anslinger was appointed director of the Federal Narcotics Enforcement Administration in 1930, and his relentless anti-drug policy laid the foundation for the subsequent anti-drug movement. He strongly opposed strategies including public health and addiction treatment, and pushed for a series of laws that targeted predominantly black and Hispanic communities, creating a series of social problems that continue to this day.
Current Challenges and Future Outlook
The US war on drugs has lasted for decades, but its effectiveness has always been questioned. The trends in production and consumption have not been reduced by drug prohibition policies, but have become more complicated due to the emergence of new drugs. Should policymakers re-examine past practices and look for more efficient countermeasures?
Against this backdrop, the U.S. war on drugs is not over yet, and future challenges will focus on how to balance the contradictions between law enforcement and public health, a process that will have a profound impact on the well-being of society as a whole.
When reflecting on drug prohibition policies, should we question the positioning of drugs as the "enemy" and then think about the true meaning and future of this war?
