David F. Musto

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David Franklin Musto
Born(1936-01-08)January 8, 1936
American
SubjectDrug policy
Notable worksThe American Disease: Origins of Narcotic Control
SpouseJeanne
Children1 daughter and 3 sons

David Franklin Musto (January 8, 1936 – October 8, 2010) was an American expert on

War on Drugs who served as a government adviser on the subject during the Presidency of Jimmy Carter. He wrote extensively on the history of licit and illicit drugs
and the process by which many of them were placed under governmental control.

Education

Musto was born January 8, 1936, in Tacoma, Washington and earned his undergraduate degree in classics from the University of Washington in 1956. He attended Yale University on a fellowship, earning a master's degree in the history of science and medicine in 1961. Musto earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine, which was followed by an internship at Pennsylvania Hospital and a residency in psychiatry at Yale.[1]

Career

Musto first developed a focus on drug policy when he became special assistant to the director of the

needle exchange programs. Musto was wary of government efforts to curb drug use, noting that efforts to control drugs arise "from repeated observation of the damage to acquaintances and society" but that a prevention effort "usually comes just after the popularity of drugs has peaked".[1] By 1992 Musto believed that the cocaine epidemic in the U.S. had already hit its peak, but challenged the notion that legalization of cocaine and other drugs would curb their effects on society.[3]

Books

His 1973 book The American Disease: Origins of Narcotic Control, expanded and reissued in 1987 and 1999, presents a history of drug use, abuse and control from the 19th century to the time of publication. Describing the connection between drug prohibition and their use by minority populations, it was written in "a non-polemical tone rare in a field dominated by partisan zealots".

Journal of the American Medical Association.[1]

Death

A resident of New Haven, Connecticut, Musto was visiting Shanghai, China, in conjunction with the donation of his writings to Shanghai University and to mark the establishment of the Center for International Drug Control Policy Studies. He died there of a heart attack at age 74 on October 8, 2010. He was survived by his wife, Jeanne, a daughter, three sons and four grandchildren.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Grimes, William. "David F. Musto, Expert on Drug Control, Dies at 74", The New York Times, October 13, 2010. Accessed October 15, 2010.
  2. ^ Staff. "In Memoriam: Dr. David Musto", Yale University Office of Public Affairs & Communications, October 13, 2010. Accessed October 15, 2010.
  3. ^ Rierden, Andi. "CONNECTICUT Q&A: DR. DAVID F. MUSTO; Drug Laws and Attitudes in Closer Harmony", The New York Times, May 10, 1992. Accessed October 15, 2010.
  4. Journal of the American Medical Association
    , 2003;290:1647-1648. Accessed October 15, 2010.
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