Question

Why was it alleged that the War on Drugs by Nixon was a means to wage war against Blacks and activists?

Do you think that this allegation is valid? Why or why not?

Would it then mean that if the Vietnam War had not existed, or if Nixon did not have biases against Blacks and activists, then Nixon's "War on Drugs" would not have merit?

Was the War on Drugs by Nixon justified or invalid? Explain.

Answer 1

According to a top Nixon adviser, Nixon's target voter base was the white community. The adviser also says that by associating antiwar hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, it was possible to attack both the communities rather than attacking them directly. It is possible that the allegation is valid as the rising influence of other communities, which were considered opponents to Nixon would threaten his position, it was necessary to use the war on drugs policy to silence them.

No, the 'War on Drugs' would still have had merit even if Nixon did not have biases against the blacks and activists as the Vietnam war was against the rising influence of communists in South Asia and the on American soil it was against the removal of harmful drugs such as heroin and opiates.

The 'War on Drugs' can be partly justified as incidentally it was against harmful drugs such as heroin and growing influence of communism. However, taking into consideration the statement of one of Nixon's top adviser, that the war was only to suppress blacks and activists alone cannot be justified.