Elizabeth Kelly Gray

Elizabeth Kelly Gray, an Associate Professor of History at Towson University and author, explores the fascinating history of drug addiction in America from 1776 to 1914. She discusses the unregulated use of opiates, the initial non-criminal perception of addiction, and the rise of middle-class morphine users. Gray contrasts historical drug use with today's opioid crisis, highlighting societal perceptions that shaped responses to addiction. The conversation reveals insights into how language, class, and policy have long influenced America’s drug landscape.