President Gift Set

Dimensions:
22.5”W x 16”L x 1.125”D
Accession Number:
2023.4.51

This set includes a signed photograph, copy of the first page of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act and a pen used by President Nixon to sign it into law.  This framed set was presented to Jack Ingersoll who can be seen in this photograph with U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell. It commemorates a pivotal moment in federal drug law enforcement.

During the mid-20th century medicinal and recreational drug use increased in the United States. Modern medicine promised to solve common problems, such as weight loss and depression. Pharmaceutical companies marketed amphetamines and barbiturates as the cure. Addiction to these and other drugs ran rampant across the country.

In response, Congress passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The law was an effort to combine all previous federal drug laws and for federal law enforcement of controlled substances. It is comprised of three Titles. Title I established drug rehabilitation programs for those who misuse drugs. It also established educational programs on drug misuse.

Title II introduced the Controlled Substances Act. Title III amended the law and penalties on the importation and exportation of controlled substances.

The Controlled Substances Act or CSA places all substances which were in some manner regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules.  This placement is based upon the substance’s medical use and potential for abuse or dependence.

Today, DEA monitors and enforces a closed distribution system of controlled substances, meaning any person or company involved in the production, distribution, or prescription of a controlled substance must register with DEA and keep complete, accurate inventories of their stock.

Proceedings to add, delete, or change the schedule of a drug may be initiated by the DEA, the Department of Health and Human Services, or by petition from any interested party such as a medical association, public interest group or individual citizen. DEA also works with other countries to establish and enforce protocols related to controlled substances.

Click here to view this artifact’s episode of “Stories from the Collection,” a monthly video series on the DEA Museum’s most exciting objects.