One Nation Under the Influence
America's Drug Habit and How We Can Overcome It
One Nation Under the Influence
America's Drug Habit and How We Can Overcome It
Overview
Around 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose last year – nearly double the number who died in Vietnam. More than 1,000,000 have perished since 2000, thanks largely to an explosion of fentanyl and other addictive opioids. But fentanyl, abundant methamphetamine, and other lethal drugs are not the only things that are killing us: our policy is. So far, America has lacked the will to do better. That must change, and this book tells us how.
“The drug policy book we’ve been waiting for. Sabet seamlessly puts together the American addiction struggle with poignant stories from drug czars and law enforcement, those suffering from addiction and families alike, leaving us with an inspiring vision about what’s possible, if we apply ourselves to the task.”
Patrick J. Kennedy
Former congressman and
founder of the Kennedy Forum
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Harlem -- Chapter One: Yesterday in America
A Brief History of the Drug Wars
Personal Letter from Kevin Sabet
About The Book
One Nation Under the Influence: America's Drug Habit and How We Can Overcome It
We are in the midst of the worst drug crisis in American history. What are we going to do about it?
Around 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose last year – nearly double the number who died in Vietnam. More than 1,000,000 have perished since 2000, thanks largely to an explosion of fentanyl and other addictive opioids. But fentanyl, abundant methamphetamine, and other lethal drugs are not the only things that are killing us: our policy is. So far, America has lacked the will to do better. That must change, and this book tells us how.
No one is immune, which is why Kevin Sabet has authored this remarkable book. Sabet, dubbed the “the quarterback of the new anti-drug movement” by Salon, has spent most of his life battling the destructive effects of drugs. In One Nation Under the Influence, he asks hard questions and provides clear answers, taking readers from the streets of San Francisco and New York to the southern border, up to Canada, and across to Europe to show how we can chart a necessary way forward. The solutions are out there, if only we have the will to apply them.
ISBN-13: 9781509560707
Publisher: Polity Press
Publication date: 09/16/2025
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Where We Are, Where We Have Been
Harlem
1. Yesterday in America: A Brief History of the Drug Wars
2. Harm Reduction in Words, Legalization as Deeds
3. Oregon’s Woes
4. A Tale of Two Countries
Part II: Looking for Solutions
San Francisco
5. Beyond Our Borders
6. Zooming In on Local and National Solutions
7. Hope and Help Whether You Like It or Not
Conclusion
Notes
"Kevin Sabet’s work rises above the landscape of existing books on addiction. Written with clarity, compassion, and a level of authority that reflects his vast experience in the field, Sabet’s insightful book is a must-read for anyone wanting to better understand the history of addiction and how contemporary issues provide both lessons learned and paths to more effective solutions."
- Ken Winters, Oregon Research Institute & University of Minnesota
“Kevin Sabet is one of the leading authorities on the ongoing US drug crisis and in this book lays out effective solutions to one of our nation’s greatest problems. I cannot recommend this book enough.”
- Saagar Enjeti, host ofBreaking Points
“Dr Sabet’s timely and important work on addictive drugs portrays a realistic picture of the threat that is being faced. More importantly, it provides a path forward on the conversations and policies that are critically important to reducing this crisis and improving lives and the economy.”
- Gil Kerlikowske, former US Border Commissioner and US Drug Czar
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About The Book
Kevin A. Sabet, Ph. D.
Dubbed by NBC News as the “prodigy of drug politics,” author, consultant, advisor to three U.S. presidential administrations, and assistant professor, Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., has studied, researched, written about, and implemented drug policy for more than 20 years. He is currently the President and CEO of SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana), a non-profit organization he founded with Congressman Patrick Kennedy and David Frum.
Learn more about Kevin's organization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana
more from The Author
More From Author Kevin A. Sabet, Ph. D.
Editorial reviews
Praise for “One Nation Under The Influence”
“The drug policy book we’ve been waiting for. Sabet seamlessly puts together the American addiction struggle with poignant stories from drug czars and law enforcement, those suffering from addiction and families alike, leaving us with an inspiring vision about what’s possible, if we apply ourselves to the task.”
Patrick J. Kennedy
Former Congressman and Founder of The Kennedy Forum
“Kevin Sabet has dedicated his life to understanding America’s drug problem and finding solutions. One Nation Under the Influence is the result: a groundbreaking account that’s sorely needed at a time when we’re losing so many of our loved ones to overdose and addiction.”
David Sheff
Author of Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction
“Kevin shatters traditional notions of drug policy. One Nation Under the Influence is Sabet’s magnum opus—the book he has always threatened to write.”
Dr Robert L. DuPont
Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations, Founding Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse
“A wide-ranging analysis of our country’s drug problem by one of its most influential drug policy advocates.”
Dr Keith Humphreys
Stanford University
“Kevin Sabet is one of the leading authorities on the ongoing US drug crisis and in this book lays out effective solutions to one of our nation’s greatest problems. I cannot recommend this book enough.”
Saagar Enjeti
Host of Breaking Points
“Dr Sabet’s timely and important work on addictive drugs portrays a realistic picture of the threat that is being faced. More importantly, it provides a path forward on the conversations and policies that are critically important to reducing this crisis and improving lives and the economy.”
Gil Kerlikowske
Former US Border Commissioner and US Drug Czar
"Kevin Sabet’s work rises above the landscape of existing books on addiction. Written with clarity, compassion, and a level of authority that reflects his vast experience in the field, Sabet’s insightful book is a must-read for anyone wanting to better understand the history of addiction and how contemporary issues provide both lessons learned and paths to more effective solutions."
Ken Winters
Oregon Research Institute & University of Minnesota
About SAM and FDPS
Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies.
Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions
One Nation Under The Influence by Kevin A. Sabet
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