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The war on drugs is the policy of a global campaign, led by the United States federal government, of drug prohibition, military aid, and military intervention, with the aim of reducing the illegal drug trade in the United States.
- June 18, 1971 – present, (52 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 4 days)
- Ongoing
- Global
May 31, 2017 · The War on Drugs is a government-led initiative that aims to stop illegal drug use, distribution and trade by dramatically increasing prison sentences for both drug dealers and users. Learn about the history, causes, effects and controversies of this controversial campaign that started in the 1970s and is still evolving today.
Mar 5, 2024 · Learn about the U.S. effort since the 1970s to combat illegal drug use by increasing penalties, enforcement, and incarceration for drug offenders. Explore the origins, impacts, and reforms of the War on Drugs, as well as related topics such as double jeopardy and crack-to-powder sentencing.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Aug 24, 2021 · New Documents Reveal the Bloody Origins of America’s Long War on Drugs. 8 minute read. President Richard Nixon explains aspects of the special message sent to Congress asking for an extra $155...
- Benjamin T. Smith
Jun 17, 2021 · While few policy experts believe the drug war will come to a conclusive end any time soon, the end of bipartisan backing for punitive drug laws is a significant development. More drugs bring...
- 5 min
- Brian Mann
Dec 7, 2023 · America’s War on Drugs Has Always Been Bipartisan—and Unwinnable. 8 minute read. In 1986, President Reagan hands his wife, First Lady Nancy Reagan, the pen he used to sign a $1.7 billion...
On June 17, 1986, 15 years to the day after Nixon declared the drug war, NBA draftee Len Bias died of a cocaine-induced heart attack on the University of Maryland campus. Coverage was frenzied and coupled with racist depictions of crack addiction in mostly Black and Latino communities.
