Criticism ignited around the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as it faced a cloud of backlash for a Throwback Thursday social media post honoring President Richard Nixon’s receipt of a narcotics law enforcement award. The homage sparked outrage, with detractors condemning Nixon’s documented intent to target political adversaries and Black communities through punitive drug policies.
The timing of the post, coinciding with the start of Black History Month, exacerbated the outcry. Nixon’s subsequent declaration of the war on drugs, following the photo’s timeline, led to mass incarcerations disproportionately affecting minority groups and fueling ongoing racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
Despite mounting criticism and acknowledgment of the drug war’s failures, the DEA continues to celebrate its history, including its 50-year anniversary and its role in enforcing laws that have fallen short of eradicating drugs. Even the agency’s museum acknowledges the racially discriminatory origins of drug laws, underscoring the ongoing debate surrounding drug policy and the DEA’s stance on cannabis rescheduling. While advised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reclassify cannabis, the DEA maintains its authority over the decision, leaving its reputation and public perception at stake.
Jaeger, Kyle. “DEA Slammed over Post Commemorating Nixon’s Drug War Legacy on First Day of Black History Month.” Marijuana Moment, 4 Feb. 2024.
