INVESTIGADORES
MANZANO Adriana Valeria
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Manufacturing a Problem: Youth Culture, Drugs, and Politics in Cold War Argentina
Autor/es:
MANZANO, VALERIA
Lugar:
Aguascalientes
Reunión:
Workshop; Sixth Workshop Drugs, Security, and Democracy Fellowship Program, Social Science Research Council; 2013
Institución organizadora:
Social Science Research Council
Resumen:
This essay explores how and why a so-called ?drug problem? emerged in modern Argentina. In contrast to some of its South American neighbors, the country did not produce any of the substances that, at that time, signified illegal drugs, nor was it a major transshipment site. During the 1960s, though youth in counterculture movements made use of available substances?mostly marijuana and amphetamines?both medical and judicial reports stressed that drugs were a ?minority? issue. However, in 1970 Buenos Aires became the first South American capital to host a permanent team of the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and soon thereafter federal police, the media, and politicians across the political spectrum began to talk of an emerging ?problem,? one that that they were in fact helping to manufacture. This essay shows that the making of the ?drug problem? was entwined with the making of the ?enemy within? in Cold-war Argentina. As the 1970s progressed, new legislation framed the ?drug problem? as one of national security while proscribing the distribution of all ?psychotropic and narcotic drugs,? penalizing consumers with harsh prison terms and mandatory rehabilitation, and authorizing federal police to monitor areas of youth sociability, including schools and plazas. Promoted by a motley team of new experts?medical doctors, psychiatrists, judges, police chiefs, military intelligence services, and pliant journalists?the campaign helped create a perceived link between youth, deviance, and subversion. It was the figure of an ?enemy? within, one that seemingly corroded the national body, which the military that imposed the final most dramatic dictatorship (1976-1983) promised to heal.