Which act aimed to curb the recreational use of opium?

The Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914 was a pivotal piece of legislation in the United States that specifically targeted the recreational use of narcotics, including opium and its derivatives. This act established a framework for regulating the manufacturing, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca products. It aimed to control the misuse and abuse of these substances by requiring prescriptions for their medical use and imposing strict limitations on their distribution.

By instituting mandatory registration for physicians and pharmacists who handled narcotics, the Harrison Narcotic Act sought to reduce recreational usage and curb the illicit trade in these drugs. This marked a significant moment in drug policy, as it recognized the potential for addiction and abuse associated with opiates, emphasizing the need for regulation.

The other acts listed, while impactful in the landscape of drug regulation, focused on broader issues or different categories of substances. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 primarily addressed the safety and labeling of food and drugs rather than specifically targeting narcotic use. The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act and the Controlled Substances Act both aimed to create a more organized system for regulating drugs, but they were enacted later and built upon the initial framework established by the Harrison Narcotic Act.