The War on Drugs and Mass Incarceration (1980 to the Present)

Topic: War on Drugs

HIS 217 Project Template

Part One: Introduction

1. Historical Topic: Describe your chosen historical topic.

The historical issue that the present project focuses on is the War on Drugs, a political and social movement introduced in the United States in 1971 under the presidency of Richard Nixon. It was aimed at curbing the use of illegal drugs using strict laws, by criminalization, and enforcement. This campaign eventually went outside the United States and affected drug policies globally, developing criminal justice systems, health, and health-related policy.

2. Three Sources: Identify at least three sources related to your selected topic that you will use for your paper. At least one must be a primary source.

Cohen, A., Vakharia, S. P., Netherland, J., & Frederique, K. (2022)

Sidhu, G. S. (2022)

Campbell, E. B. (2022)

Part Two: Background of the Topic

1. Types of Sources: Describe the types of sources that were used to create the most common narrative surrounding the topic.

Government reports, laws, press reports, legal cases, and journal articles have shaped the general discourse on the War on Drugs. The news reports and political speeches also contributed significantly to shaping public opinion.

2. Context: Describe the context of the sources you chose about your chosen topic.

The chosen sources were authored in 2022, a year that marked the 50th anniversary of the War on Drugs. These sources examine its long-term consequences, such as incarceration, health disparities, and global policy implications.

3. Components: Explain the components of the narrative of your topic.

The narrative includes anti-drug policies launched in 1971, mandatory sentencing laws, more policing, mass incarceration, and the emergence of overdose crises. The effect on low-income groups and racial minorities is also included.

4. Perspective: Apply a historical perspective to provide a context for your selected topic.

From a historical perspective, the War on Drugs should be interpreted within the framework of the political situation in the 1970s, the increased interest in the problem of substance abuse, and the attempts of governments to create social order. Historians have, over the years, come to associate it with institutionalized inequalities and epidemic diseases.

5. Validity: Determine the validity of the traditional historical narrative of the topic.

The conventional discourse that the War on Drugs was completely a crime-control measure is partially valid. Although it sought to curb the use of drugs, contemporary scholarship reveals that it also brought with it terrible social and health effects.

Part Three: Deconstructing the Historical Narrative

1. Credibility: Determine the credibility of the sources you selected for your chosen topic.

The chosen sources are very credible as they are peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles authored by experts in medicine, sociology, and public health. They present fact-based arguments backed by data and historical analysis.

2. Bias: Describe potential bias in your selected sources for your chosen topic.

Potential bias exists because the sources strongly emphasize the harmful outcomes of drug criminalization. However, this perspective is supported by extensive evidence, particularly regarding racial disparities and incarceration rates.

3. Power Structures: Identify the power structures that influence the development of the historical narrative surrounding your chosen topic.

Government institutions, law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and the media have contributed to the development of the historical narrative. These organizations influenced the general awareness by making drug use a crime and not a health problem.

4. Variations: Explain why there are variations in the narrative of the event presented by your selected sources.

There are also differences, as the War on Drugs is viewed differently by various countries and scholars. In particular, Sidhu (2022) is more reform-oriented and global in his approach, whereas Campbell (2022) dwells upon the history of the U.S. development.

5. Information Gaps: Explain why information gaps occur in the sources you selected for your chosen topic.

Information gaps arise because some of the initial policies did not properly report on social impacts. Moreover, marginalized groups most affected by these policies were usually not represented in official documentation.

Part Four: Changing the Narrative of History

1. Role of Historical Context: Discuss the impact of historical context on your topic.

Historical context is relevant as it clarifies the reasons why the brutal anti-drug policies were so popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It also helps explain why such policies persisted even after they were proven harmful.

2. Role of Diverse Perspectives: Explain the importance of diverse perspectives in the interpretation of this topic.

The need for diversity of opinions is crucial, as it brings the voices of affected groups, healthcare providers, and foreign policymakers. These perspectives can be used to see all the outcomes of the War on Drugs.

3. Role of Bias: Describe the role of bias in the historical interpretation of this topic.

Bias is significant in interpretation, as previous accounts were largely politicized. Recent interpretations put more emphasis on public health and sociological evidence.

4. Cultural Norms and Values: Explain how cultural norms and values impact the interpretation of this topic.

Cultural beliefs about crime, morality, and addiction greatly influenced the interpretation of this topic. Those societies that perceive addiction as a moral failure would advocate punitive legislation.

5. Connections: Explain the connection between your historical topic and current events.

The War on Drugs remains connected to current events through the opioid crisis, prison reform debates, and ongoing discussions about drug decriminalization and legalization policies.

References

Campbell, E. B. (2022). The War on Drugs Turns 50. Contexts, 21(3), 46–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/15365042221114989

Cohen, A., Vakharia, S. P., Netherland, J., & Frederique, K. (2022). How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system. Annals of Medicine, 54(1), 2024–2038. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2022.2100926

Sidhu, G. S. (2022). The War on Drugs: A Global Perspective. International Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2037–2037. https://doi.org/10.18311/ijmds/2022/638