Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Which US president was responsible for the creation of the DEA?

1. Theodore Roosevelt

2. Bill Clinton

3. John F. Kennedy

4. Richard Nixon

The correct answer is: Richard Nixon

The establishment of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was a significant event in the history of U.S. drug policy, and it was initiated under Richard Nixon's administration in response to the growing drug abuse problem of the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1973, Nixon officially created the DEA to consolidate various federal drug enforcement responsibilities previously spread out among different agencies, thereby streamlining efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse. The formation of the DEA represented a focused, coordinated federal response to drug-related issues, enhancing the government's ability to enforce drug laws and combat drug-related crime. The other options represent presidents who were in office at different times, but none were responsible for the creation of the DEA. Theodore Roosevelt's presidency occurred in the early 1900s, long before the contemporary issues surrounding drug abuse emerged. John F. Kennedy, while significant in other areas of social policy, did not address drug enforcement in the way Nixon would later. Bill Clinton's administration occurred in the 1990s, when the DEA was already well-established. Understanding the context of Nixon's presidency and the socio-political climate at that time highlights why he was pivotal in the formation of the DEA.