Just Say No: Reagan Militarizes the War on Drugs

Tags: Media and Culture, The Police State, U.S. History

10/11/2017 Chris Calton

Season 1, Episode 10. In spite of declining drug usage, the Reagan Administration placed renewed interest in the War on Drugs. Chris Calton explains how President Reagan eliminated restrictions that prevented the US military from enforcing domestic laws, while also reducing Constitutional safeguards that prevented police from using illegally obtained evidence. The consequences? A rise in drug potency—and danger.

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