Over the past decade, the opioid and heroin crisis has risen tremendously within the United States. With use and overdoses skyrocketing, the government has recently begun to acknowledge and combat the epidemic. The Trump war on drugs has a new focus compared to past assaults on the problem. However, this isn’t the first time the country has found itself in a war on drugs.
The Start of the War on Drugs
The war on drugs has been ongoing for quite some time now. While the declaration came in the 1970s with Richard Nixon, the fight had already begun much earlier than when he took office. In fact, the first congressional action against drugs took place in 1890. Before that, some states had already begun to pass laws to either regulate or ban drugs. In 1890, the act imposed taxes on opium and morphine.
1909 brought the Smoking Opium Exclusion Act, which prevented the importation, use, and possession of opium. However, the drug was still in medicinal use. 1914, the Harrison Act came into play to tax and regulate the distribution and production of cocaine and opiates. Then the Prohibition Era arrived, bringing with it the ban on manufacturing and selling alcohol. The 21st Amendment put an end to this ban in 1933.
President Richard Nixon officially declared war on drugs in 1971. A year prior, he signed the Controlled Substances Act that helped to regulate certain drugs while also classifying five different “schedules” of drugs. This war came as the result of an increase in drug use during the 1960s. The declaration saw the creation of both the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Reagan Era and Beyond
While the war experienced a halt in the late 1970s, it found steam again with President Reagan. Prior to Reagan entering office, 11 states chose to decriminalize the possession of marijuana, with President Carter supporting the decisions. President Reagan began to reinforce previous legislation during the 1980s. Nancy Reagan even did her part by beginning her ‘Just Say No campaign’ to help children learn about drugs and the harm they could cause.
The Trump War on Drugs
Today, the shift has begun to move once more. The Trump war on drugs seems to have a three-part plan. This plan will include an increase in education, expanding evidence-based addiction treatment, and limiting the availability of illicit drugs.
Finding Help Today
If you or a loved one is currently a victim of the drug epidemic, help is available to you. Morningside Recovery rehab programs are available to provide you with the support you need to find recovery. We offer many treatments, including:
- Opioid addiction treatment
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Ecstasy addiction treatment
- Marijuana addiction treatment
Worried about money? We also offer addiction treatment financing options for those looking to turn their life around. If you’re interested in Morningside rehab and doing your part to fight the war on drugs, call today at 855-631-2135.
