Final answer:
The anti-drug programs of the 1960s in the U.S. aimed to change students' attitudes towards drug use through increased knowledge, which was believed to lead to behavioral change. Over time, the effectiveness of these programs was questioned, and there was a shift towards more punitive measures in the 1980s, while attitudes towards some drugs evolved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anti-drug programs of the 1960s were founded on the idea that increased knowledge of drugs would alter students' attitudes and consequently result in behavioral change regarding drug use. This approach mirrors programs like the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), initiated in the 1980s, which was meant to educate youth about the dangers of drug use and encourage them to resist peer pressure to experiment with drugs.
Despite these efforts, there was significant criticism concerning the effectiveness of the 'War on Drugs' and its associated programs. The critical point being that knowledge alone might not suffice to deter drug use, as evidenced by the minimal effectiveness of similar programs targeting tobacco smoking. Critics pointed to underlying social issues such as poverty and the lack of job training, suggesting that structural changes were necessary alongside education to prevent drug abuse.
Throughout history, policies and programs have evolved. While the objective remained to curb the use of illegal substances, the 80s brought about a more forceful law enforcement trajectory with the passage of 'three strikes laws', and the increasing stigmatization of drug use and addiction. However, as time went on, perspectives on certain substances, such as cannabis, began to shift, reflecting the complex interplay between public perception, policy, and the biochemistry of addiction.