History of substance abuse; Alcohol and tobacco use can be dated back in the American colonial era. During the
pre Civil War period, the consumption of cigarettes grew to 26 per capita while the rate of
consumption of alcohol grew to 2.17 gallons per capita (Stanton, 2019). History records that
the Civil War had adverse effects on substance abuse as it led to the increase in consumption
of cigarettes and opium in the United States. This is simply because the supply of cigarettes
was extremely high. Sale of cigarettes was the main source of revenue for the Civil War as it
was during the period when the first federal excise tax on tobacco was enacted (Stanton,
2019). Opium was also used during the period in the treatment of war casualties. Although
alcohol was largely abused, the excise tax imposed on it did not raise as much revenue as was
anticipated. After the Civil War, however, the use of alcohol, cigarettes, and opium did not
end but rather increased. To make it worse, the end of the war ushered in a new wave as
anther substance, cocaine was introduced. All four substances were legal following the repeal
of state prohibition laws and were not considered a threat to society (Stanton, 2019). This might be one of the reasons as to why the first prohibition amendment to the constitution of
the U.S. was not successful. The cliché held by physicians and pharmacists that use of heroin,
cocaine, and opium in varying amounts could treat certain conditions increased the demand
of the substances. Read more
The second prohibition wave swept the United States in 1889 and left significant
impacts in the country. This wave brought about a decrease in the consumption of alcohol
specifically the distilled liquors. It is worth noting that although the rate of alcohol
consumption decreased, the demand for opium, cocaine, and tobacco increased the more. The
enactment of the Food and Drug Act of 1890 to 1906 resulted in a decrease in the rate of
consumption of opium and cocaine-related products for a short period (Stanton, 2019). The
law required that all drugs sold over the counter and contain either cannabis, opium or
cocaine be labelled.
The third wave of prohibition swept the land in the early 20th century and was
marked by the enactment of legislation that outlawed substances use in the United States.
Texas became the very first state to outlaw the use of Marijuana. During the third wave, the
importation of opium was limited to medical purposes. The federal government responded to
the increasing unconscionable advertising perpetuated by both the lobby group and the
pharmaceutical industry with a 1912 amendment of the 1906 Act (Stanton, 2019). The
amendment prohibited the manufacturers from labeling the drugs as curative. Additionally,
the Webb-Kenyon Act of 1913 prohibited the shipment of liquor to states where its sale was
declared illegal. The Harrison Act of 1914 marked the climax of federal reforms concerning
substance abuse (Stanton, 2019). The Act required all the manufacturers, importers, and
handlers of regulated substances to register and pay occupational tax.

Following a series of legislations, the drug dependant population in federal prisons
grew considerably. In response, the Public Health Service establishing two narcotic treatment
centers for the convicted substance dependants (Stanton, 2019). All along people were made
to believe that substance dependence is a physical disease. Consequently, they continued to
use alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco despite their prohibition in almost all states. In 1964, the
Surgeon General's advisory committee succeeded in its effort to have cigarettes
manufacturers to include a warning in their advertisement and immediate cessation of free
cigarettes distribution by the concerned agencies (Stanton, 2019). Substance abuse in the
United States has, therefore, been in existence for the longest time possible. It is worrying to
note that health professionals were among those who encouraged drug-taking behaviour in
the American history of substance abuse.