Alfred Lindesmith and the Federal Bureau of Narcotics

Alfred Lindesmith (1905–1991) at Indiana University was the pioneer in the United States on drug law research. His analysis involved a hard-hitting critique of the irrationality and heartlessness of the enforcement of the federal Harrison Tax Act of 1914 controlling cocaine and opium products. It was technically a tax and record-keeping measure, but it was enforced in a strictly prohibitionist fashion by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). Lindesmith argued that the government could not successfully outlaw addiction, since early in an addict's history of drug use euphoria ceased to be a primary motivation and avoidance of withdrawal distress became the preeminent personal ...