War on Drugs Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / War on Drugs

War on Drugs

The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...

Timeline of Events

1971

6.17.1971

President Richard Nixon declares the U.S. War on Drugs.

1982

10.14.1982

U.S. President Ronald Reagan proclaims a War on Drugs.

1988

11.18.1988

War on Drugs: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs a bill into law allowing the death penalty for drug traffickers.

1996

9.4.1996

War on Drugs: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attack a military base in Guaviare, starting three weeks of guerrilla warfare in which at least 130 Colombians are killed.

1999

1.21.1999

War on Drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over convert 4300 of cocaine on board.