Drugs have been a part of the American story since the very first day Columb

Drugs have been a part of the American story since the very first day Columbus landed in the New World. The Taino Indians presented Columbus with a gift of tobacco, which would go on to become one of the most important drugs in our history. And if drugs have existed since the beginning, so have drug problems. And so have attempts to solve those drug problems.
    Since the 19th century when Americans first discovered new wonder drugs like heroin and cocaine, the whole society has confronted the problem of drug abuse and addiction.
    When the 20th century began, the United States - struggling with its first drug epidemic- gradually set up effective restrictions: at home through domestic law enforcement and overseas by starting a world movement to limit opium and coca crops. By World War II, American drug use had become so rare that it was not seen as a social problem. The first epidemic was forgotten.
    During the 1960s, drugs like marijuana and psychedelics came on the scene, and a new generation embraced drugs. With the drug culture exploding, the government developed new laws and agencies to address the problem. In 1973, the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration was created to enforce federal drug laws. In the 1970s, cocaine reappeared. Then, a decade later, crack appeared, spreading addiction and violence at epidemic levels.
    Today, the DEA’s biggest challenge is the dramatic change in organized crime. While local criminals once controlled drug trafficing on U. S. soil, today foreign criminal groups control the drug trade in America.