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So called patent medicines were advertised and distributed in Europe and America. These medicines were not chemically patented and the manufacturers did not disclose the ingredients. Addiction and the harmful side effects were not known as well at this time so many medicines contained amounts of drugs like opium. The drugs were thought to be useful for medicinal and recreational purposes. Drugs were used for everything from coughs to diarrhea.
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Racial and ethnic minorities are often persecuted unfairly in the war on drugs. There are stereotypical assumptions made towards certain ethnic groups and drug use (i.e. Mexicans and marijuana, Chinese and opium). Men and women of color are still unfairly persecuted to this day as they are far more likely to be stopped, searched, and incarcerated for drug offenses. They statistically face longer prison sentences than whites as well.
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San Francisco creates an ordinance to prohibit opium dens, the commercial places for smoking opium. The dangers of opium are starting to become public.
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Experimentation has been done to find that the coca plant provides a numbing effect. Cocaine, from the coca plant, is used to treat headaches and other ailments. It is often mixed with wine or other drinks. It was even found in Coca-Cola.
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Heroin is marketed as a safer alternative to opium products like morphine. Heroin is also backed by the major company Bayer as a "suppressant for coughs."
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Sinclair takes a novelistic approach to share what it's really like in Chicago's meat packing district. Accounts of filth and disgusting conditions are shared, which results in meat sales falling. President Roosevelt assigns investigators to find out if Sinclair's book is the truth--they find horrifying and unsanitary conditions. This results in a push for a bill on drug and food regulations.
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President Roosevelt signs the Pure Food and Drug Act to make food and drug products safer. Labels now had to include ingredients and products could be inspected for purity.
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The Harrison act is signed by President Woodrow Wilson. Medical professionals must register with the government and pay a special tax. Only medical professionals may dispense heroin, opium, and cocaine. Proper documentation must be filed. Over 200,000 medical professionals register overwhelming the Treasury staff with prescription documents.
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The Eighteenth Amendment is ratified in 1919, going into full effect after one year. Alcohol is now illegal to purchase, sell, or manufacture. Murders rates rise steadily during Prohibition. There are illegal searches and innocent civilians are killed. Bootlegging becomes rampant and there is general angst in the country.
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Prohibition is ended in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
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Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson form AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). This program helps those addicted to alcohol find support, faith, and a way to battle the addiction. As time goes on Marijuana Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous are formed. Addicts are seen as suffering from a disease and need empowerment and support to quit using. Addicts are able to attend meetings and learn about the 12 steps to recovery.
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A movie depicting horrifying repercussions of using marijuana is made. By 1931, twenty-two states have laws making marijuana illegal. Users are stereotyped as antisocial and it is falsely believed that they will commit violent acts.
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President Reagan announces an official war on drugs campaign. The term war on drugs was used by President Nixon in 1971 as well, but Reagan reinvigorates the campaign after numerous drug related deaths and rampant drug usage. The phrase "just say no" becomes popular.
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Racial disparities continue to be an issue in the war on drugs. More is known everyday about drug use and motivations for addicting behavior. There can be underlying real physical disabilities that cause addiction. More is also known about the chemicals of the brain and how they interact with drugs, which leads to addiction.
