human
I've been hearing a lot about the 'War on Drugs' in the news. Can you explain what it is?
assistant
The War on Drugs was a war declared by President Nixon in 1971 to fight illegal drug use and trafficking. It was an effort to reduce the supply of drugs, particularly cocaine and heroin, which were becoming more popular among young people. It included mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, increased funding for law enforcement, and tougher penalties for drug-related crimes. However, the war has had mixed success and many critics say that its focus on incarceration has actually made the problem worse.