The Wars (Yes, Wars!) on Drugs and the Opioid Crisis: Crime in the Streets and Crime in the Suites

1 Course Unit

This course examines the origins and development of the wars––yes, wars–on drugs with a special focus on the opioid crisis. Key topics include: the history of U.S. regulation and punishment of legal and illegal drug use; mass incarceration and the wars on drugs; race-related factors in drug policy and public policy; how and why the criminal legal system treats crime in the streets and crime in the streets differently; U.S. drug policy in a comparative and international perspective; causes of the opioid crisis; and policy prescriptions for the opioid epidemic. This is an advanced-level seminar open to juniors and seniors. Sophomores require permission of the instructor to enroll 1 Course Unit