What U.S. Administration Created the War on Drugs?

Question

I'm curious as to which administration created and supported the "War on Drugs" and which political party, if any, had this on their platform. I would also like any related details such as who and when the 'War" was kicked off and any important milestones.

Answer 1

Reagan...actually it was Nancy Reagan who was very outspoken about the war on drugs...not that Ronald wasn't...he was just doing alot of other stuff too and so Nancy took to alot of speaking on the issue of drugs....

Oh Republican was the party...

Answer 2

This was the VERY beginning:

On January 1, 1932, the newly established Federal Bureau of Narcotics, a unit in the Treasury Department, took over from the Alcohol Unit of the department the enforcement of the federal anti-opiate and anti-cocaine laws; and former Assistant Prohibition Commissioner Harry J. Anslinger took over as commissioner of narcotics. Commissioner Anslinger had no legal jurisdiction over marijuana, but his interest in it was intense.

The Bureau's first Annual Report under his aegis warned that marijuana, dismissed as a minor problem by the Treasury one year earlier, had now "come into wide and increasing abuse in many states, and the Bureau of Narcotics has therefore been endeavoring to impress on the various States the urgent need for vigorous enforcement of the local cannabis laws."

Many people believe that Mr. Anslinger collaborated with industry giants to outlaw marijuana. It is known that he was acquainted with both the Hearsts (of Hearst Newspapers) and the DuPonts, of DuPont plastic fame. (Hemp seed oil derivatives could replace DuPont's petroleum derived compounds.)

In the 1930s, Hearst, who owned newspapers all over the country, started publishing sensationalist-type "news" stories about marijuana use. These stories, often written by Hearst or Anslinger himself, talked about "insanity, criminality, and death" caused by smoking marijuana, sometimes after just one joint. This intense propaganda campaign led to anti-marijuana laws in many states.

In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act was passed, effectively prohibiting possession or use of marijuana. It was claimed to be needed to oversee and coordinate existing state law concerning marijuana.

The following are excerpts of Mr. Anslinger's testimony before a Senate hearing on marijuana in 1937:

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others."

"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."

"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."

"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."

"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."


In more recent times, Richard Nixon started his "War on Drugs" campaign in 1972. Congress passed his "Controlled Substance Act", which made all sales, use, and possession of controlled substances illegal, with the exception of drugs that are allowed to be prescribed by a Dr. If a Dr. prescribes something that contains, for example, codeine (a narcotic), then they must call in a "control number" to the pharmacy in order to get the prescription filled.

Answer 3

Daver is correct.

Nancy Reagan started the "Just Say No" campaign.

Answer 4

well.... you could say it goes back to Nixon.... there was a very famous meeting between Elvis and Nixon and they discussed the drug problem...(of course Elvis was a big user at the time...so go figure)

Answer 5

I believe it was Reagan