Question

What effects did Reagan's War on Drugs have on society? What are some of the outcomes from the war on drugs? 2-4 sentences.

Answer 1

Reagan greatly expanded the reach of the drug war and his focus on criminal punishment over treatment led to a massive increase in incarcerations for nonviolent drug offenses, from 50,000 in 1980 to 400,000 in 1997. Criminalization of drug users, excessive levels of imprisonment, and punitive sentencing practices, including mandatory sentencing, the death penalty, and enforced 'drug detention centers', are some of the unintended negative consequences.