It’s September 14th. This day in 1986, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan gave a prime-time television address about drugs, drug policy, and crack cocaine.
Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by journalist Donovan X Ramsey to talk about why both Reagans took part in the address, the media-savvy narratives that emerged in the “Just Say No” era, and the real victims of drug abuse who were left behind.
Donovan’s new book is When Crack Was King — buy it now, or check out the audio book!
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Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia
Dick Cheney Shoots His Friend In The Face (2006)
NJ Law Calls For "Gradual Emancipation Of Slaves" (1804)
The FDR Assassination Attempt (1933)
Mandela Released From Prison (1990)
The First Execution By Gas Chamber (1924)
Lockheed Caught Bribing The Japanese Government (1976)
FDR's Court-Packing Plan Backfires (1937)
The Sketchy Deal That Makes Hayes President (1877)
Groundhog Day's Very Weird Origins (1877)
A Brawl In Congress (1798) w/ Joanne Freeman
No Nukes In Space (1967)
Why Do We Vote On Tuesday? (1845)
Ed Roberts, Father Of Independent Living (2010)
Marion Barry Caught Smoking Crack (1990)
The Pentagon, The Building (1943)
America's Biggest Slave Rebellion (1811)
America Drags Its Feet on MLK Day (1986)
The Children's Blizzard (1888)
Jefferson's Wall Between Church and State (1802)
Vietnam Draft Lottery Is Exposed (1970) w/ Walt Hickey
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