The Rise and Fall of Mexico’s First State-Run Morphine Dispensary
Mexico’s first state-run morphine dispensary aimed to revolutionize drug addiction treatment in the 1940s. The short-lived initiative ended under U.S. pressure, but its history provides valuable insights for contemporary drug policy debates.
On a bright Saturday morning, March 9, 1940, the Mexican Army’s marching band played jubilant tunes as cameramen and journalists gathered in the courtyard of 33 Calle Sevilla in Mexico City. They were there to capture a historic moment: the inauguration of Mexico’s pioneering state-run morphine dispensary for drug addicts. This dispensary, a part of a comprehensive national program, was a trailblazing initiative aimed at establishing a state monopoly to supply morphine at nominal prices to Mexicans suffering from drug addiction, as prescribed by doctors.
The primary objective of this initiative was to alleviate the demand for illegal morphine by providing people with an addiction with a controlled, legal source. As government-employed doctors explained that morning, the dispensaries aimed to reduce addicts’ dosage gradually, leading to detoxification. Participants would be allowed to continue their everyday lives if deemed not a danger to society. Even for incurable cases, the dispensaries offered a way to disconnect from the illegal drug market, thus weakening burgeoning drug trafficking networks. By providing a safe place to inject morphine, the dispensary also aimed to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections and combat criminal activities driven by the need to fund drug consumption.
A Progressive Approach to Drug Addiction
This innovative program, adhering to what is now known as addiction “maintenance,” was unprecedented in Mexico and mainly due to the efforts of physician Leopoldo Salazar Viniegra. Head of a government directorate on drug addiction in the late 1930s, Salazar Viniegra, spearheaded this reform to federal drug laws, which previously required all drug addicts to be confined to hospitals. The program drew inspiration from similar initiatives in other countries, where progressive physicians had established clinics to provide morphine to people with addiction at low prices and offered radical treatment programs.
The opening of the dispensary on March 9 symbolized the beginning of a new paradigm for drug policy in Mexico. It was a bold step towards a humane and pragmatic approach to addiction, one that sought to treat people with addiction as patients rather than criminals. Salazar Viniegra’s vision was to integrate people with addiction back into society through controlled treatment rather than isolate them in hospitals or prisons.
However, the optimism surrounding the dispensary could have been more-lived. Despite the promise it held, the program faced significant challenges from the outset, both domestically and internationally.
U.S. Pressure Against Drug Reform
The dispensary on Calle Sevilla operated for only a few months. On July 3, 1940, the federal government suspended the drug law reform ‘for an indefinite period of time.’ This decision was a direct consequence of relentless pressure from the U.S. government, which began as early as April 1938 when Harry J. Anslinger, the head of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics, learned of Salazar Viniegra’s project.
As documented in correspondence preserved in the U.S. National Archives, Anslinger’s response was to oppose the Mexican plans immediately. These plans contrasted sharply with the prohibitionist logic the U.S. had been promoting internationally since the early 20th century. The U.S. diplomats pressured President Lázaro Cárdenas to remove Salazar Viniegra from his position, viewing his progressive policies as a threat.
Salazar Viniegra’s stance on marijuana further fueled the controversy. He argued, based on his own experiences, that marijuana was not harmful to health, a view that was scandalous to conservative groups in both Mexico and the U.S. Anslinger feared that Mexico might move towards legalizing marijuana under Salazar Viniegra’s influence, prompting even more aggressive U.S. intervention.
The Threat of a Medical Embargo
The U.S. government employed various tactics to exert pressure on Mexico, the most effective being the threat of an embargo on medical supplies. Anslinger leveraged the U.S. Narcotic Drug Import and Export Act of 1922, which allowed him to deny licenses for narcotic shipments to countries that did not maintain adequate control systems. Given that the bulk of Mexico’s morphine and codeine supply came from the U.S., this threat was substantial.
Panic ensued in Mexico. Just hours after the clinic opened, news of the U.S. threat reached the Mexican health secretary, leading to an emergency session of the health council on March 12. Despite attempts to negotiate, Anslinger’s stance was firm: no shipments would be allowed unless the reform was repealed.
The global context of World War II further complicated matters. Much of the world’s narcotics supply now passed through New York, giving the U.S. additional leverage. With European pharmaceutical industries in crisis, Mexico’s dependency on U.S. supplies grew, making Anslinger’s threat even more potent.
On July 3, 1940, the Mexican government announced the indefinite suspension of the Drug Addiction Regulation. Ten days later, the dispensary on Sevilla Street was closed, marking the end of Mexico’s brief experiment with an alternative drug policy. This closure was a direct result of the U.S. government’s pressure, which effectively ended Mexico’s attempt to build a progressive drug policy.
A Legacy of Prohibition
The closure of the dispensary marked the end of Mexico’s attempt to build a progressive drug policy and heralded a more punitive approach. From this point on, Mexican drug policy became increasingly aligned with U.S. prohibitionist strategies. In 1945, President Manuel Ávila Camacho’s decree allowed for the transfer of suspected drug traffickers and people with an addiction to the remote federal prison on the Islas Marías without trial, exemplifying the shift towards criminalization.
For the rest of the 20th century, Mexico’s drug policy remained more punitive than that of the United States. The legacy of Salazar Viniegra’s dispensary was largely forgotten, overshadowed by the harsh realities of the war on drugs. Almost 85 years later, Mexico continues to grapple with a prohibitionist framework, struggling with the consequences of criminal violence and unregulated drug use.
The history of the 1940 dispensary offers vital lessons for contemporary drug policy debates. As recent reforms in the U.S. at both state and federal levels indicate a shift towards more progressive approaches, Mexico has a new opportunity to reconsider its stance. The election of Claudia Sheinbaum as president-elect brings the potential for revisiting and revitalizing alternative strategies for addressing drug use, offering a glimmer of hope for a more humane and effective drug policy.
Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future
The story of Mexico’s first state-run morphine dispensary is a poignant reminder of the potential for innovative drug policies that prioritize public health overcriminalization. It also highlights the external pressures that can impede such efforts, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and support for progressive reforms.
Reflecting on this historical episode as Mexico stands at a crossroads can provide valuable insights into developing more humane and effective drug policies. The failure of the 1940 initiative was not due to its inherent flaws but to the overwhelming external pressure that prevented its proper implementation. Understanding this context is crucial for building resilience against similar challenges in the future.
Recent developments in the United States, where several states have moved towards decriminalizing marijuana and implementing harm reduction strategies, offer a model that Mexico could consider. These reforms have shown promise in reducing incarceration rates and improving public health outcomes, suggesting that a similar approach could benefit Mexico.
The potential for collaboration between Mexico and the U.S. on drug policy is now greater than ever. By learning from past mistakes and building on successful models, both countries can work towards a more balanced and humane approach to drug addiction.
A New Paradigm for Drug Policy
The key to moving forward lies in acknowledging the complexity of drug addiction and the limitations of prohibitionist policies. Mexico’s brief experiment with state-run morphine dispensaries was a bold step towards treating addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one. This approach, though short-lived, demonstrated the potential for harm reduction strategies to alleviate the burden of drug addiction on individuals and society.
Moving away from punitive measures requires a shift in mindset and policy. It involves recognizing the role of socioeconomic factors in drug addiction and addressing these root causes through comprehensive social and health programs. It also means fostering an environment where scientific research and public health precede political and moralistic agendas.
As Mexico contemplates its future drug policy, it can draw inspiration from countries successfully implementing harm reduction strategies. Portugal’s decriminalization of drug use and emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation has led to significant improvements in public health and safety. Switzerland’s heroin-assisted treatment programs have effectively reduced crime and improved the quality of life for people with an addiction.
Mexico can potentially lead the way in Latin America by adopting similar progressive policies. By doing so, it can not only improve the lives of its citizens but also set a precedent for other countries grappling with the challenges of drug addiction and violence.
A Call for Reform
The story of Mexico’s first state-run morphine dispensary is a testament to the possibility of alternative drug policies that prioritize health and humanity overcriminalization. It serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience in the face of external pressures and the value of learning from history.
As Mexico looks to the future, Claudia Sheinbaum’s government has a unique opportunity to revisit and revive the progressive spirit of Leopoldo Salazar Viniegra’s initiative. By embracing harm reduction and public health approaches, Mexico can pave the way for a more just and effective drug policy.
Also read: Unveiling Colonial History Key to Latin America’s Future
The lessons of the past are clear: prohibition alone cannot solve the complex issues surrounding drug addiction. A balanced approach that includes prevention, treatment, and harm reduction is essential for creating a healthier, safer society. Mexico’s journey towards such a paradigm is not just possible but necessary.
