History of Drug Control Policies in the United States (From Handbook of Drug Control in the United States, P 29-50, 1990, James A Inciardi, ed. -- See NCJ-126319)

• NCJ Number: 126321
• Author(s): J C McWilliams
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 22 pages
• Sale Source: Greenwood Publishing Group
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Efforts to suppress narcotics trafficking began with the United States involvement in the Philippines and led through several phases of legislation and programming to the passage of the Omnibus Drug Enforcement, Education, and Control Act of 1986.

Abstract

The Philippine Islands were acquired as a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898 and had a loose system for licensing addicts and supplying them with legal opium. Concern about opium led to international meetings and the passage of The Hague International Opium Convention of 1912. Awareness of the need for domestic legislation led to the passage of the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914. Further developments included the establishment of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, the research and report of a New York City committee initiated by Mayor LaGuardia in 1938, the Boggs Act of 1951, and commissions and enforcement efforts in the 1960's. The 1986 legislation reflects strong public support for efforts to address drug abuse, although the problem is likely to intensify before any improvement occurs. 67 reference notes