Pat Adriance is one of my closest and dearest friends.
Last summer when I went home to see the family, Pat and his clan paid us a visit.
Pat’s Dad is a retired social studies teacher with a Master of Arts in Political Science. His master’s thesis is now a book: “Nixon, Congress, And The Drug Abuse Office And Treatment Act Of 1972”. Just rolls off the tongue! This volume contains Mr. A’s complete original thesis and a follow-up essay.
Now, if you’re like me (and Lord, in most ways I hope you’re not) your knowledge of American government starts and ends at around this level:
A good start anyway.
Mr. A’s original thesis tells the story of the drug problem in American circa 1971: an epidemic of substance abuse, with abuse by Vietnam veterans a particular concern; increased drug smuggling; all-around increase in drug use across America.
President Nixon thought the solution was to create a position based in the White House, a person who today we would dub a “drug czar” that had substantial autonomy in working with a variety of offices and situations. The President, it should be noted, would also have increased power of authority in the “war on drugs” in this scenario.
There were a lot of moving pieces in this plan before the bill even went to Congress; figuring out how this new Office would work (or not work) with entities like the VA, the Justice Department, the FDA, individual city drug abuse programs, etc.
The bill, as indicated in the cartoon, went to the Senate where it was changed to the satisfaction of that body. (It’s refreshing to read about how politicians would vote for something important even if they had certain concerns about it, solely based on vocal assurance from a colleague that the issue would be addressed down the road.)
Next, it goes to the House. More changes, more discussion. Witnesses from all manner of backgrounds spoke at both the Senate and House committee hearings, talking about issues like rehabilitation for veterans who received a dishonorable discharge due to illegal drug use. Abuse experts, political interest groups, former addicts all got to speak their piece.
By the time the Senate and House finished with President Nixon’s initial bill, it was a horse of a different color. A much smaller budget, and –shock of shocks!–all language in Nixon’s bill taking existing controls and rights away from Congress was removed. Nevertheless, the President signed the downscaled legislation.
The follow-up essay details the way political motives, not to mention the aftermath of Watergate, resulted in the slow death of the efforts begun with the Nixon act and other legislation. A neat bonus in the appendix: scans of letters written to John Adriance by those who were, as they say, in the room when it happened, including Hubert Humphrey, Edmund Muskie and others.
I’ve given about a 5th grade level summary of this book…but if you’re a history buff or just fascinated by the warts-and-all American political process this is fascinating stuff. Oh! And the cover:
Some nifty cartooning by Pat Adriance! This is the second time Pat and his Dad have been in print. Here’s a link to see (and buy!) both books:
I love seeing my friends put their creativity out into the world! Whether it’s Kalin Krohe’s music, or Dangerous Dave’s films, or a few friends who have published books–it’s awesome. I must confess I would love to write a book, but I just don’t have it in me. 23 years of writing everything to be 30 or 60 seconds has left me with the attention span of a toddler. I write blogs, and radio skits, and that’s neat.
The book sounds very interesting. The “School House Rock” episode I remember well! I wish those cartoons were still played. As a youngster, I loved them and never realized I was learning something from them! You will write when and if you find something you need to share with all of us. But right now, I just need to hear you smile on the radio.