The war on drugs is considered a political and social movement involving harsh penalties relating to drug offenses. Despite the War on Drugs starting in the 1970s, it’s rooted in alcohol prohibition in the 1920s. Local and federal governments could see how drugs were causing public health problems and sought ways to address the issue by banning drugs. Although the War on Drugs was initiated to address these public health issues, it was unintended, and in some cases, with devastating effects. The U.S.’s primary method against the drug trade was going after the individuals who supplied these substances. Unfortunately, police face the laws of supply and demand, making it challenging to stop illegal drug trading. Whenever a regulation or law eradicates a supply source, demand will grow, as will the incentive for a person to form a supply source and earn money. The War on Drugs has also penalized drug users under the impression harsher penalties would serve as a deterrent to using drugs. The National Institute of Justice said that harsher penalties and prison time aren’t effective means of stopping drug use, especially when drug users believe they can’t be caught. Despite The War on Drugs starting in the 70s, cocaine use exploded to epidemic levels in the 80s. The drug problem began causing public health issues, and politicians decided being tough on drugs and crime would be a campaign point. Although prison doesn’t deter drug use, it caused the U.S. prison population to balloon in size. At one point, one-quarter of the prison population worldwide was in the United States. The War on Drugs also caused judges to impose minimum sentences for drug-related crimes. A minimum sentence is the least amount of time someone has to spend in prison before they’re eligible to be released.