Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs

Journalist Hari's extensively documented book marks a century in the life of the war on drugs. He chronicles its history by focusing on the human stories that have emerged from the war. The first shots were fired by antidrug zealot Harry J. Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, in 1931. His single-minded pursuit of cocaine addict Billie Holiday makes for fascinating reading and sets the stage for decades of enforcement activities. Hari profiles many others, from early drug dealing entrepreneur Arnold Rothstein to Chino Hardin, a former dealer who transformed his life and now advocates for social causes related to drug addiction and juvenile justice. The drug cartel system, prescription drug addiction, and the science of addiction are explored, all through the eyes of those on one side or the other of the war. Success stories of decriminalization in Portugal, Uruguay, and Switzerland round out the book and help make Hari's arguments for change.