1971    President Richard Nixon declares the U.S. War on Drugs.

1982    U.S. President Ronald Reagan proclaims a War on Drugs.

1988    War on Drugs: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs a bill into law allowing the death penalty for drug traffickers.

1996    War on Drugs: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attack a military base in Guaviare, starting three weeks of guerrilla warfare in which at least 130 Colombians are killed.

1999    War on Drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over {{convert|4300|kg|lb}} of cocaine on board.