The War on Drugs: a Historical and Social Examination
Words: 632 Pages: 2 5744The War on Drugs, which began in the 20th century, was initially intended to address what was perceived as a marijuana and opioid epidemic that plagued the United States. Declared in the 1970s by President Richard Nixon, this campaign primarily targeted nonviolent drug offenders and resulted in the unprecedented growth of the U.S. penal system. It has since been criticized for creating a “new Jim Crow,” where people of color are disproportionately targeted for arrest and incarceration, often working for […]
