Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s, society’s perception of drug use in the United States was entirely different as opposed to today. In the eyes of society, drugs were used as a symbol of peace and freedom during a time of protests and reform movements for equality. However, in response to this large scale drug use in our society, the Controlled Substance Act was enacted in 1970, which placed chemical substances and the control of select plants under federal jurisdiction. A year later in June of 1971, President Nixon declared a “war on drugs” which enhanced federal control on drugs. New Jersey in particular, implemented mandatory sentences for individuals found guilty of drug use near a school zone and imposed extensive length of those sentences.
