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Description

The War on Drugs was a political initiative designed to eliminate illegal drug use and trafficking through law enforcement and punitive legal measures. Early policies marked a shift from relative deregulation in the early 1900s to a transition to “zero tolerance” policies. Over time, American political discourse has evolved from a strict legal enforcement frame to raising awareness of drug addiction as a public health concern, with growing attitudes of reformation of the previous frame. The methodology used in this study consisted of a qualitative analysis of existing literature, including historical policy documentation, political rhetoric, and scholarly research. By comparing discourse across different time periods, it identifies how drug use, enforcement, and rehabilitation have shifted over time. Results indicate a clear transition in political discourse from the prior rigid, enforcement-based legal sanctions on illegal drugs toward contemporary legal models that aim to treat addiction and drug use as a public health matter. While earlier political rhetoric emphasized punitive measures, contemporary discussions focus on preventive care, treatment, and harm reduction. This shift reflects a broader change in public attitudes towards drugs and growing support for health-oriented solutions. The progression of discourse surrounding the War on Drugs mirrors a broader shift in how drug use is discussed and understood in American society. This change suggests growing support for more effective and equitable policies that accentuate rehabilitation and preventive care rather than legal punishment. This highlights how political discourse shapes policy and ongoing debates surrounding drug reform, public health, and criminal justice.

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Publication Date

Spring 4-17-2026

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Keywords

War on Drugs; Drug addiction; Political Intitative; Public Health; Law enforcement

Disciplines

Political History | Political Science | Social Influence and Political Communication

File Format

PDF

File Size

261 KB

Comments

Mentor: Rafael Oganesyan

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

How Has the War on Drugs Influenced American Political Discourse


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