NCJ Number
137384
Journal
OAH Magazine of history Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1991) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The history of drug regulation in the United States reveals that no single influence determines a particular level of drug abuse and use and that the assumption that decriminalization or legalization is the only reasonable response to the current cocaine "epidemic" is inappropriate.
Abstract
Around 1900, drug use was widespread, but an onslaught against drug use led to a substantial reduction in the use of opiates, heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. These events, as well as changes in the levels and types of drug abuse during the 20th century, demonstrate that the social and legal factors affecting drug use are complex. In recent years, the frequency of marijuana use by high school seniors has been dropping since 1978, although the enforcement of laws against individual possession or use of marijuana has fallen to a low level. The reduction in use, coupled with a more conservative national mood, has slowed further moves toward formal Federal decriminalization. The result of these trends is uncertain, but history should be considered before making predictions or recommendations about decriminalization. Illustrations