The war on drugs , sometimes referred to in the 21st century as the war
on cartels in contexts of military intervention and counterterrorism, is a
global anti-narcotics campaign led by the United States federal government,
including drug prohibition and foreign assistance, with the aim of reducing
the illegal drug trade in the US. The initiative's efforts includes policies
intended to discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of
psychoactive drugs that the participating governments, through United Nations
treaties, have made illegal.
The term "war on drugs" was popularized by the media after a press conference,
given on June 17, 1971, during which President Richard Nixon declared drug
abuse "public enemy number one".