Recently, I have finished a section of Johann Hari's 2016 book,
Chasing the Scream: The Frist and Last Days of the War on Drugs. In this section of the work, Hari begins to unpack the beginning of the federal campaign to criminalize controlled substances and those who made the unfortunate decision to use them. It's a historically accurate narrative, but it lends its focus to the unsung in the hopes of creating a more complete picture. Reading this selection, albeit short, was eye-opening and provided me with new information with which to think critically. Within the selection, I have identified ten quotes that stood out as I was reading and their significance
- "Normally a man with his personality type would end up in prison, but this little boy didn't. He was handed an industry where his capacity for violence was not just rewarded, but required" (9) While reading, I immediately thought of the garish and deviant men that grace the screen of the true crime shows. If Rothstein was born poor and constantly neglected, he'd most likely be among the ranks of Gacy and Gein. However, instead, he was able to take his prejudice to Washington.
- "But they lived at a time when American culture was looking for its swelling tide of anxiety- a real, physical object it could destroy, the hope that this would destroy its fear of a world that was changing more rapidly than their parents and grandparents could ever have imagined."(9) This isn't anything new to be honest. As discussed in class previously, whenever there is any significant amount of progress, there is always a sizable backlash under the guise of maintaining control or the status quo. History moves in an imperfect circle at times.
- "Anslinger began to believe all of his hunches would turn out like this. He only had to defy the "experts" and keep pursuing his instinct until finally, he would be shown to be more right than anyone could have predicted" (17) So, essentially, this was an excutive making things up as he went along, ignoring both science and reason, in the quest to confirm his own biases and bigotry. Sounds strikingly familiar. Granted, sometimes things turned out in his favor, but it would be both remiss and dangerous to give such coincidences any true credence.
- "The main reason given for banning drugs--- the reason obsessing the men who launched this war--- was that the blacks, Mexicans, and Chinese were using these chemicals, forgetting their place, and menacing white people" (26) In this instance, "menancing" is not being used in the traditional sense. It was not a direct threat. Rather, the fact that these groups were using such substances, (and in some cases, making a profit from them), threatened the supposed white hegemony. And that simply isn't done.
- "Until the day that "the Great Judgement proclaims:/'The last addict's died,'" the poem said, "'Then---not till then--- may you be retired." (32) The language used in this poem is both horrifying and harsh. Granted, addicts do make unfavorable decisions, but no one deserves to have death wished upon them. This robbing of humanity and agency continues to shape the attitude towards those who take drugs and the services either denied or provided to them.
- "Just as a large majority of drinkers did not become alcoholics, a large majority of users of these products did not become drug addicts. They used opiates as "props for the unstable nervous system", like a person who drinks wine at the end of a stressful day at work" (36) Most of the individuals who partake in such substances, do so in moderation. They're usually regular people who make adult decisons to relieve stress. However, you can't criminalize moderation. Instead, you scour for the extreme and paint them as the face of the majority. Then, the enemy is no longer human and license is given to destroy them, you know, "for the sake of the children"
- "When he [Henry Smith Williams] saw the work of Anslinger in the world, he began to question the Anslinger in his own heart." (39) This realization that Williams has is not unlike when a villain's accomplice begins to realize the wickedness that has been brought about by the person they chose to follow. He's identified his own evil, but it is too late, and the damage has already been done, at they all must live with the consequences.
- " Doctors," Harry boasted, now "cannot treat addicts even if they wish to." (39) There comes a certain point where accomplishing a goal or following an ideology becomes insane, and this here is that moment, Anyone who would take true joy in depriving United States citizens of one of their inalienable rights to life is truly a depraved and wretched individual.
- "And nobody, when they are panicking, can see the logical flaws in their thought" (41) When people believe that their safety or livelihood is being threatened, they will gladly give up rights or anything else they deem negotiable in exchange for peace of mind, control, or security (See: Patriot Act). Certain actions seem feasible in the short term, but after the threat has passed, or new information surfaces to the contrary, the damage has been done and there are two choices: double down and deny or begin to pick up the peices.
- "He had to make sure that there was no room for doubt---in his own head, or in the country--- and no alternative for Americans to turn to." (41) So now, there is even a moment of doubt with the "fearless" Anslinger. Hes been confronted, on numerous occassions, with things that seem to have proven him wrong and exposed him as unjust and ineffective. However, when ever there are weaknesses in the proverbial armor, people have the opportunity to defect and/or expose the ineffectiveness. As suchs, Ansligner is trapped and has no choicebut to stand his ground and trap those who disagree.
