The genesis of global narcotics control: An analytical examination of the process of prohibition

A more holistic understanding of the contemporary international “war on drugs” can be achieved by uncovering its historical roots. Many researchers cite formative events occurring in 1914 as setting the stage for narcotics polices at both national and international levels. However, in 1909, the United States government called upon the leaders of twelve other countries to help eradicate non-medical opium use. Thus, the Shanghai International Opium Commission should be viewed as the true genesis of global narcotics control. Although descriptive accounts of this event exist, they often lack an analytical foundation. The work of Lowes (1966), when supplemented by archival sources and other seminal pieces of research, renders a testable hypothesis regarding these global origins of narcotic prohibition. The thesis concludes that three theoretical perspectives are inherently grounded within the data: the pluralist conflict model of law creation, the “moral crusader” prototype and Kingdon’s (2003) agenda setting policy model.