Anti-Drug Abuse Amendment Act

The Anti-Drug Abuse Amendment Act, signed by President Ronald Reagan on November 18, 1988, revised the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 by closing real or perceived loopholes of that law. Major provisions included the creation of a new executive-level agency, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, whose director, appointed by the president, would lead a uniform national strategy to reduce drug use and availability, and would have unprecedented budgetary certification authority over other department and agency heads. The act also called for a “user accountability” program that established drug-free public housing, drug-free workplaces, and other similar measures. Another major provision in the act is the enactment of “conspiracy” laws in order to prosecute those with indirect involvement in a drug transaction. The act established ...