To Kill The Messenger Analysis

At the beginning of the documentary entitled “To Kill the Messenger” (2014), President Ronald Reagan publicized that “drug abuse” is the number one public enemy in the United States. The objective of his presidency was policy that would prevent drug trafficking and substance abuse. In October of 1982, Reagan announced the famous “War on Drugs.” He used military terms, such as “battle,” “war,” and “surrender” to describe his campaign to combat drugs (Nunn, 2002). During the campaign, Reagan increased the monetary resources allocated to his anti-drug movement and increased the quantity of drug task. In addition he implemented polices, such as the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. This policy established mandatory prisons sentences for the individuals convicted of first time trafficking (“Report on Cocaine”, n.d.). The persons were either convicted for a five year or ten year minimum. The determination was based on the quantity and the type of drug. Most importantly, this policy made a distinction between drugs that were “cocaine based” …show more content…
According to the New York Times, the number of serious offenses reported to law enforcement officers was approximately 13.2 million in 1986, which is a 12 percent increase from 1985 (“F.B.I. Crime Index”, 1987). Yes, the crime rate increase but it was a minimum increase, and I do not think it justifies the decision of Reagan to declare the war on drugs. Michael Tonry pointed out that the recreation use of drugs was in decline not on the rise (Nunn, 2002). This determination was made based on a both the legal and illegal drug use survey that was conducted National Institute on Drug Abuse. For example, drug use between the ages of 18 to 25 years of age declined approximately 15% between 1979 and 1982 (Nunn, 2002). If the statistical date is reliable and factual, it should have raised a concern among the public before the scandal took