The Lasting Impact of Reagan’s War on Drugs

During the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed a “war” on illegal drugs claiming drug trafficking constituted a national security threat. Since then, the War on Drugs has contributed to a systemically unequal prison system and mass incarcerations in the US. Reagan’s War on Drugs has had a lasting impact, especially in the area of mental health. Many have been punished for their drug use, and labeled as criminals, instead of receiving treatment for substance use disorder.  

 

The War on Drugs was a government-led initiative aimed at stopping illegal drug use, distribution, and trade by dramatically increasing prison sentences for both drug dealers and users. The term was popularized by the media in the early 1970s after President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse “public enemy number one”. The movement continues to evolve to this day.

Medicinal and recreational drug use has been happening in the United States beginning. Over time, states have imposed laws to ban or regulate drugs, including the 1914 Harrison Act and the prohibition era in the 1920s. President Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) into law in 1970 which called for the regulation of certain drugs and substances. A rise in recreational drug use in the 1960s likely led to President Nixon’s declaration of a War on Drugs and went on to create the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan reinforced and expanded many of Nixon’s War on drugs policies. Up until then, the War on Drugs was a relatively small factor in federal law-enforcement efforts. Reagan greatly expanded the drug war and placed focus on criminal punishment over treatment which led to a massive increase in incarcerations for nonviolent drug offenses. The expansion of Reagan’s War on Drugs was mostly driven by increased media coverage of the crack epidemic of the 1980s resulting in public nervousness.

Key Policies Implemented During Reagan’s Administration

In 1986, along with his wife Nancy, Reagan spoke to the nation about their combined support to create strategies and policies aimed at combating the growing issue of drug abuse in the US. Through Nancy’ “Just Say No” campaign, she promised to spread awareness of drug use to American youth, which partially was the driving force behind Reagan’s anti-drug policies.

That same year, Reagan’s Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed by Congress and established minimum prison sentences for certain drug offenses. The act gave over a billion dollars in funding for the drug war and resulted in mass incarcerations.

The Money Laundering Control Act was also established along with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. It criminalized money laundering for the first time in the US. Reagan’s Anti-Drug Abuse Act also authorized billions of dollars in spending which partially was used to increase substance abuse treatment, although less was allocated than what was promised. The act also included the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, requiring colleges to establish drug abuse education and prevention programs.

Social and Economic Impacts

Reagan’s War on Drugs led to an increased average time imprisoned for drug crimes, from 22 months to 33 months. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act created a significant disparity in sentences involving crack cocaine versus powder cocaine. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), before 1986 African Americans were subject to 11% higher federal drug sentences than white Americans, by 1990, that number grew to 49%. The number of black Americans sent to federal prison massively increased, while the number of white people incarcerated in federal prison stayed about the same.

The goal of Reagan’s War on Drugs was to decrease drug usage and prevent drug-related deaths, however, it has not made much progress. While the federal government is spending more money than ever to enforce drug policies, with a budget of $34.5 billion in 2020, drug use continues to climb. Mass incarcerations have left a heavy bill on both federal and state government budgets. The average cost of housing an inmate in federal correctional facilities is about $37,500 annually and costs the US at least $182 billion a year. Individuals who have been incarcerated for drug use are also impacted financially. Not only do they lose years of wages, but they also have difficulty finding employment after their sentences are completed.  

Public Perception and Media Influence

Much of the reason for Reagan’s War on Drugs was a result of the crack epidemic and the mainstream spotlight on it. During the 1980s, many low-income neighborhoods were suffering from an increased distribution and use of crack cocaine. Another driving force was the death of 1986 NBA draft pick Len Bias. His untimely death from a crack cocaine overdose influenced the creation and approval of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act. Mass media and pop culture also influenced the war on drugs, including celebrities, music, sports, and advertisements that highlighted the dangers of drugs and what they were doing to America.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act was heavily criticized as having racist implications because it set longer prison sentences for the same amount of crack cocaine (often more used by black Americans) as powder cocaine (often more used by White Americans). The Anti-Drug Abuse Act instituted a five-year minimum prison sentence without parole for the possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine. Meanwhile, a minimum possession of 500 grams of powder cocaine carried the same sentence. This disparity in prison sentencing was justified by the crack epidemic and the media spotlight on it.

Despite literally trillions of dollars being spent on the War on Drugs, every measurable study has ruled the effectiveness of the war on drugs as a failure. Drug use and drug-related deaths continue to rise. Mass incarceration has done little to reduce substance abuse and addiction. Instead, it has led to individuals not receiving the treatment they need, and they’ve been impacted by the lasting effects of criminal records, often leading to further drug abuse.   

The Evolution of Drug Policy Post-Reagan

In 1992, President Bill Clinton campaigned on treatment over incarceration. However, he refused to cut the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. President George W. Bush also escalated the militarization of domestic drug law enforcement and by the end of his term, about 40,000 paramilitary-style SWAT raids were carried out mostly for nonviolent drug law offenses. During President Barack Obama’s term, he reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine as well as ending the ban on most federal funding for syringe access programs as well as ended federal interference in state medical marijuana laws.  

Current Drug Policy and Its Future

In the US, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs continues to be prohibited by federal law. There are still strict penalties and mandatory prison terms for many drug-related offenses. Many states have lessened them, often discussing drugs as a public health problem rather than a criminal one. For decades, the US has focused on attempting to scare people from drug use by instituting criminal penalties. However, there are major changes underway as policymakers are more aware of the old, failed approach to preventing the overdose crisis. Many are urging shifting resources and funding toward treatment. Harm reduction techniques are being pushed more each day.

How WhiteSands Treatment Helps Those Affected

The War on Drugs has led to many individuals being incarcerated for potential substance use disorders (SUDs), which is a chronic relapsing mental health condition. Those with SUDs do not get the treatment they need to manage their disorder while incarcerated, which can lead to a relapse. WhiteSands Treatment is a network of drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities throughout Florida that provides the needed evidence-based therapies and support to overcome substance use disorders. If you have found it difficult to maintain sobriety after serving time for a drug-related offense, WhiteSands can help you gain the tools and coping strategies to achieve long-term recovery. Our programs include life-skills programming and aftercare services to help you get your life back on track, no matter how many years you have lost due to an addiction.

Please give us a call today at (877) 855-3470 to learn more about our programs or to get started with treatment right away.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.