“Let us not forget who we are. Drug abuse is a repudiation of everything America is.”
- February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
- American
- The 40th President of the United States, Actor, Politician, Governor of California
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Quote
“Let us not forget who we are. Drug abuse is a repudiation of everything America is.”
Explanation
In this quote, Ronald Reagan links the issue of drug abuse to a broader moral and national identity, portraying it not merely as a personal vice or public health crisis, but as a fundamental betrayal of American values. By stating that it is a “repudiation of everything America is,” Reagan suggests that freedom, responsibility, hard work, and individual dignity—cornerstones of the American ethos—are undermined by the self-destructive nature of substance abuse. It’s a call for Americans to remember and uphold the principles that define the nation.
This quote reflects the Reagan administration’s strong stance during the 1980s on the “War on Drugs”, a central domestic policy initiative that sought to combat drug trafficking and consumption through law enforcement, education, and public messaging. While the campaign was widely supported at the time, it also generated debate over mandatory sentencing laws, racial disparities, and its long-term effectiveness. Reagan’s rhetoric focused on the moral and societal dangers of drugs, appealing to personal virtue and national character.
Today, the quote remains relevant in discussions about drug policy, addiction, and national values, though it is viewed through more complex lenses that include public health, rehabilitation, and criminal justice reform. Reagan’s message underscores a belief that substance abuse threatens not only individuals, but the moral foundation of society, and that combating it requires a shared commitment to reclaiming and affirming what America stands for.
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