From the Abolition of Slavery to Drug Prohibition. Story of a Paradox

Abstract

This essay addresses the relationship between the international cause for the abolition of slavery that was led by the British Empire in the 19th century and the global fight against drugs promoted by the United States since the 20th century, since in each case these two nations were able to impose their moral leadership and geopolitical agenda on the rest of the world. Also highlighted is the way drug addiction is assimilated with a modern form of slavery and how the US They managed to take away from the British empire its moral and economic leadership when the latter decided to give up its opium business towards China to join the world crusade against drugs. And it is evident that the prohibitionist discourse, rather than to vindicate the members of the North American black community against what is seen as a modern form of slavery, has served to marginalize and subjugate them.