The presentation will explore discrination and racism in drug policy going back to the days of Columbus,through the sugar, tabacco , and hemp plantations of the 16 and 17 hundeds,to the triangular trade of the 17 and 18 hundreds, the intriduction of opium from India to China and the use of American Clipper ships to transport the crop,anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment and it's contribution to the temperance movement. I'll cover the Chinese and the opium smoking laws, patent medicine,the Phillipines and the Harrison Narcotic Tax act,Blacks and removing cocaine from Coca-Cola,Hearst and his attack on Mexican immigrants and marijuana(previously known as cannabis).I'll trace the laws through Anslinger ,the Marijuana Tax Act, Nixon's War on Drugs,Nancy Reagan and just say no.Well look at the disproportionate arrest and prosecution of ethnic and racial minorities.Lastly we will assess the amount of money spent on current drug policy and it's impact on federal spending and the constitution.We'll touch briefly on drugs in popular culture.
Learning Objectives: learn about thr discriminatory and racist foundations of American drug policy Question the basic assumptions of our current failed policy Obtain additional information regarding the discriminatory application of drug laws See that drug policy has distorted public funding priorities and rewarded funding of the criminal justice system at the expense of edcation, social services and public health Be able to articulate several reasons why current drug policy is counter productive Have a fuller appreciation of the longitudinal history of drugs and drug policy in the US
Keywords: History, Drugs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.