US-ANNIVERSARY-ELVIS PRESLEY — Elvis Presley offered his services to Richard Nixon as a special secret agent, hoping to fight in the war on drugs. Photograph: HO/EPA

US government's 'war on drugs'

This article is more than 12 years old

Forty years have passed since Washington declared its 'war on drugs'. We plunder our archives for coverage of it

Read Ed Vulliamy's reflections on 40 years of US drug policy

1970s

On 18th June 1971 Richard Nixon declared a 'war on drugs', stating that the drug problem in the US had become "public enemy number one". Here, Richard Scott looked at his proposals.

Nixon, war on drugs — Published in the Guardian, 18 June 1971. Click on the image to read the article.

A particular problem in the US and an important factor in Nixon's decision to address the drugs issue was the heroin addiction of many Vietnam veterans. Peter Osnof reported from the Mekong Delta.

Throughout the 70s, the flow of drugs into the US came predominantly from Latin America. Colombia was a major producer of cocaine and large amounts of marijuana and heroin were coming across the Mexican border.

Latin America, drug trade — Published in the Guardian, 22 April 1975. Click on the image to read the article.

1980s

Gerald Ford's administration pushed the drug war into the background but when Reagan assumed office he renewed it on an even bigger scale than before. William Scobie reported from Los Angeles.

Reagan, cocaine — Published in the Observer, 25 March 1982. Click on the image to read the article.

George Bush Senior's administration announced a new anti-drug strategy, with a $7.86 billion funding programme. Martin Walker and Simon Tisdall reported on concerns from critics of the programme.

Bush Snr, drug strategy — Published in the Guardian, 6 September 1989. Click on the image to read the article.

After years of the Colombian Medellin Cartel shipping cocaine to the US through Panama, George Bush Senior invaded in 1989, overthrowing dictator General Noriega. Martin Walker reported on the operation from Washington.

George W Bush, Noriega — Published in the Guardian, 21 December 1989. Click on the image to read the article.

1990s

Pablo Escobar, a founding member of the Medellin Cartel, was killed by Colombian security forces in 1993, after escaping from prison. Ken Dermotta and Noll Scott looked at the events leading to his death and his influence on the international drug trade.

2000s

In June 2000, Clinton pledged a $1 bn aid package to assist the Colombian government in their fight against drug trafficking. Duncan Campbell reported on Colombia's "civil war".

Clinton, plan columbia — Published in the Guardian, 20 July 2000. Click on the image to read the article.

The Obama administration all but brought an end to the 'war on drugs' with the focus instead on treatment and drug use prevention. Sasha Abramsky considered the new national drug control strategy.

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