The American Disease: Origins of Narcotic Control

by David F. Musto

The American Disease is a classic study of the development of drug laws in the United States. Supporting the theory that Americans' attitudes toward drugs have followed a cyclic pattern of tolerance and restraint, author David F. Musto examines the relationz between public outcry and the creation of prohibitive drug laws from the end of the Civil War up to the present.

Originally published in 1973, and then in an expanded edition in 1987, this third edition contains a new chapter and preface that both address the renewed debate on policy and drug legislation from the end of the Reagan administration to the current Clinton administration. Here, Musto thoroughly investigates how our nation has dealt with such issues as the controversies over prevention programs and mandatory minimum sentencing, the catastrophe of the crack epidemic, the fear of a heroin revival, and the continued debate over the legalization of marijuana.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Addiction, Politics, Drugs, United States, American History

432 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1973

Reviews

[Russ Haeber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any raking on one factor is impossible on this book. On it's history of the legislative efforts to control narcotics it's an essential read for anyone wanting the full picture. Unfortunately, Musto is not the most entertaining author. It's pretty dry reading. Is it comphrensive? The citations at the end of the book take up 90!!!! pages. The narcotics use in the US have cycled through many phases. With the current explosion of overdose deaths with fentanyl, as they say in the movie "I'm Back!"

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read to help gain some insight to our nations long history with addiction.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book for my undergraduate thesis research, and it was indispensable in that regard. though a little dry at times, the book is extremely well researched and packed full of interesting facts about the development of US drug control policy. if there is anyone who is interested in this topic, this book is the definitive resource.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read chapters 1-3 of this book for class, and I have no desire to read the rest. I know legislation and history can sometimes be boring, but as a history nerd I was expecting something a little more enjoyable to read. In fact, I am reading other books for this class that cover the same information in a much better way. Overall, it was an ok read, but not much better than that.

[AskHistorians]

The groundbreaking text in US drug history. Turn-of-the-century nonmedical use by supposedly deviant groups virtually ensured later prohibitive legislation. Substance abuse quickly became a political problem as opposed to a public health problem. Ever since, Musto argues, drug use trends follow generational cycles based on the social transfer of knowledge.