Cocaine & the Drug War Revival

At the end of the 1970s, drugs had slipped from the public's radar screen, with inflation and other concerns taking their place. The Ford and Carter administrations had not made drugs a priority. Even the DEA, with its focus on drugs, had been concentrating on heroine and ignoring cocaine, which was believed inconsequential. This gave enterprising coke dealers time to develop and streamline their operation. By the start of this era, cocaine had become big, big business.

At the end of the 1970s, drugs had slipped from the public's radar screen, with inflation and other concerns taking their place. The Ford and Carter administrations had not made drugs a priority. Even the DEA, with its focus on drugs, had been concentrating on heroine and ignoring cocaine, which was believed inconsequential. This gave enterprising coke dealers time to develop and streamline their operation. By the start of this era, cocaine had become big, big business.

USA Coast Guard, Key West Florida. Alon Reininger, 1983