In March 1981, spurred by a question from a reporter during a press conference, Reagan articulated the approach he intended to take. He argued that it was “virtually impossible” to block the smuggling of drugs into the United States given our porous borders. “It’s like carrying water in a sieve,” he said. Instead of focusing on the supply side of the drug problem, Reagan said he believed the more effective approach was to focus on demand. In other words, instead of going after international cartels bringing drugs into the United States, he wanted to go after users. By targeting young people
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