Suzanna Reiss, “We Sell Drugs: The Alchemy of U.S. Empire” (University of California Press, 2014)Suzanna Reiss, “We Sell Drugs: The Alchemy of U.S. Empire” (University of California Press, 2014)
New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Though the conventional history of the U.S.-led “War on Drugs” locates the origins of this conflict in a reaction to the domestic culture of excess of the 1960s, a new book argues that international drug control efforts are actually decades older,
43:43•14 Sept 2015
The Hidden History of the War on Drugs with Suzanna Reiss
“I think that those efforts at discrediting political opponents or stigmatizing what were depicted as Communist governments, as drug traffickers, also tied into the ways in which, domestically, you had a civil rights movement and many people within The United States identifying with anti-colonial struggles and international efforts at ameliorating economic inequality.”
Have you ever wondered if the War on Drugs is more than just a reaction to the 1960s' culture of excess? Suzanna Reiss, author of 'We Sell Drugs: The Alchemy of US Empire', takes us on a journey that challenges conventional narratives.
In this episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction, and Recovery', host Marshall Poe dives into the lesser-known history of international drug control efforts, revealing their deep ties to US economic interests and the pharmaceutical industry's rise to power. Reiss uncovers how WWII-era economic controls reshaped the landscape of legality and illegality, focusing on who was involved in the drug trade rather than the drugs themselves.
This eye-opening discussion sheds light on the complex political and economic dynamics that have shaped global drug policies and impacted everyday lives. If you're curious about how historical events influence current drug laws and societal habits, this episode is a must-listen. Perfect for anyone looking to understand the intricate web of factors behind the War on Drugs.
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