War on Drugs in the U.S
The term “War on Drugs” was first used by U.S president Richard Nixon. The term is used to describe a campaign of prohibition, foreign military aid and military intervention undertaken by the United States government, with the help of other countries, and the aim to reduce the illegal drug trade. The war on drugs began in 1914 but became more popular four decades ago, on July 17, 1971. This war was declared by President Nixon who said “Drug abuse was public enemy number one!” One would think that war on drugs would have ignited because of the ghettoes or Woodstock festivals in Nixon’s era. In actuality this war began because of the addiction of soldiers who were fighting in Vietnam. President Nixon took action immediately and ordered urine testing for all US troops in Indochina. Nixon signed his war on drugs into law January 28, 1972, Nixon saying “I am convinced that the only way to fight this menace is by attacking it on many fronts”. Although Nixon took action, this wasn’t the first law that attempted to put a halt to drugs in the US. In 1920, the United States passed the National Prohibition Act along with the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption on a national level. The attempt to stop illegal drugs went on even before 1920 with the passing of the National Prohibition Act. The first U.S. law that restricted the distribution and use of certain drugs was the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914. The first local laws came as early as 1860. So even though Nixon declared this “War on Drugs”, it was escalating way before his presidency. The main goals & intent of the War is too discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of illegal drugs. In other words, the war wants to slow down or even stop the making & selling of illegal drugs. It would also like to put a stop to the usage of these illegal drugs. If the selling, usage & production...
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