When and How Did Drugs Become Stigmatized in America?
Question by carbonnstar: When and how did drugs become stigmatized in America?
I am not taking a stance on anything here– I was just curious how the culture changed so rapidly.
I know that drugs were legal and over the counter at one point– and even in everyday products that are still used today (ex. Coca Cola had cocaine etc)
I find this shockingly amazing how a whole culture was able to change in such a short amount of time– and I wonder who was able to do this– and how they did it.
Any information would be great— or referals to books or documentaries as well.
Thank you.
Best answer:
Answer by Martell
The government can’t tax it–like it does liquor. There was no way to control the manufacture and distribution.
Answer by Vulcan
It’s an odd situation – I remember an article years ago in the Scientific American which took on this issue. The anti-drug thing happened (or was associated with) the first environmental movement which formed the National Parks – back in Teddy Roosevelt’s time. This is when cocaine was made illegal and other drugs. Marijuana was made illegal later in 1935.
It is a huge shift in public thinking from “it’s your freedom to use a drug” – to – “we have to protect you from this drug”. Legions of arthritic people were able to buy tincture opium at the drug store and treat themselves. But then suddenly the state becomes Daddy, and this is no longer allowed. You’re not smart enough to know whether you need opium or not.
Later, obviously, this has largely become the area of the terrified right wing. They supply the stupid drug lies (Marijuana is a GateWay Drug) – they supply the prisons and the prison guards and the punitive (three strikes) judges. And they get paid wild sums of money for “protecting” America from the “scourge of drugs”.
If you get to the library, you might be able to locate that Scientific American article in the archives – very interesting stuff. The librarian can help you.
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