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The 18th Amendment Passes
The 18th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is ratified; it prohibits the sale and manufacture of alcohol. -
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New Jersey Struggles Against the Law
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The Volstead Act was passed.
The Volstead Act clarifies the 18th Amendment, which establishes Prohibition. The Volstead Act states that "beer, wine, or other intoxicating malt or vinous liquors", meaning any beverage that was more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, was illegal. It also states that any ownership or manufacturing of such products would result in specific fines and jail sentences. -
Organized Crime Takes Over New Jersey
Enoch L. Johnson was able to thrive during the Prohibition era. In his hometown, Atalantic City, few prohibition rules were enforced, allowing Johnson to create his empire. He was part of the rise of organized crime in New Jersey, breaking laws and making it impossible for the government to regulate illegal practices. -
Colonel Ira Reeves Takes Charge of Federal Government’s Prohibition Responsibilities in Newark
Ira Reeves takes on the role to keep New Jersey sober. He enthusiastically raids speakeasies, roadhouses, and breweries. Reeves also confiscates alcohol shipped in cars, trucks, trains, and boats. -
Atlantic City Conference
The first recorded national conference for organized crrime. Leaders such as Al Capone, Charlie "Lucky" Luciano, Frank Costello, Vito Genovese, Willie Moretti, Abner "longy" Zwillman, Dutch Schultz and Ben "Bugsy" Siege. They addressed issues of what would happen once prohibition was over. The conefrence showed how little power the New Jersey government had when enforcing these laws. -
Colonel Ira Reeves Publishes "Ol’ Rum River"
After a less than stellar career in his role as Colonel in the Prohibition era, Reeves writes a tell-all book bashing the Prohibition era and its impossible goal. -
The 21st Amendment is Passed
In February 1933, Congress adopted a resolution proposing the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which repealed both the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act. After the Depresstion the Americans Against Prohibition Association (AAPA) argued that the ban on alcohol denied jobs to the unemployed and much-needed revenue to the government. The People won. -
President Nixon declares a “war on drugs".
Nixon Speech June 17, 1971</a>Nixon officially declares a "war on drugs," identifying drug abuse as "public enemy No. 1." <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtZaWLOSiWA' > -
Nixon creates the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
President Richard Nixon creates, through an Executive Order, the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA was established in an effort to form a single federal agency to enforce the federal drug laws and co-ordinate and consolidate the government’s control activities. -
Chris Christie Calls War On Drugs "A Failure"
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie condems the war on drugs during a speech at The Brookings Institution. Christie stresses the merits of legislation passed by New Jersey state lawmakers that institutes a year of mandatory treatment for first-time, nonviolent drug offenders instead of jail time. GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE CALLS WAR ON DRUGS A FAILURE -
NJ-Sen: Cory Booker (D) Condemns War On Drugs As A "Trememndous Failure"
Newark Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker (D) took to Twitter to condemn the war on drugs, characterizing the federal government's approach as a "tremendous failure" and criticizing the Obama administration for not honoring state drug laws. NJ-Sen: Cory Booker (D) Condemns War On Drugs As A "Trememndous Failure"
