Lesson 1
The first lesson focuses on the history and impact of the War on Drugs within the United States of America. The lesson covers how the War on Drugs has caused prison populations to boom and contributed to mass incarceration. Students will also examine the differences in how crack and opioid addiction are treated.
READ:
Just How Much The War On Drugs Impacts Our Overcrowded Prisons, In One Chart
WATCH:
LISTEN:
READ:
How racial inequity is playing out in the opioid crisis
Opioids vs. Crack: The Politics of Race and Addiction
Oregon’s Decriminalization Vote Might Be Biggest Step Yet to Ending War on Drugs
Discussion Questions:
- How effective has the War on Drugs been?
- How has the War on Drugs contributed to mass incarceration? How is this related to racial capitalism?
- What do you think are the reasons people use drugs? What could be done to address those reasons instead of punishing drug addicts?
- Why do you think there is such a difference in how crack and opioids are treated? Who usually uses crack? Who usually uses opioids?
- If you had to come up with a solution to the War on Drugs what would it be?
Lesson 2
This lesson focuses on the impact the War on Drugs has had on the international level, and how it has allowed the United States to expand its imperial reach in Latin America.
READ:
How the war on drugs perpetuates violence in Latin America
THE ENDURING LEGACY OF REAGAN’S DRUG WAR IN LATIN AMERICA
WATCH:
Discussion Questions:
- How is US imperialism related to the War on Drugs? How is it different in Latin America than in Afghanistan?
- Would legalizing drugs in other countries help to end the War on Drugs? Why or why not?
- Taking into consideration the past three lessons, how does US foreign policy impact is domestic policy? How does domestic policy affect foreign policy?
- Has the War on Drugs been effective? From an international perspective, what has been the outcome?
