Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Narcotic Farm
Think you know Kentucky history? Have you ever heard of the Narcotic Farm? At the time of its opening in 1935, the deceptively pastoral, fortress-like compound in Lexington housed convicted felons from all over the nation. But this “prison" was unique in that some people went in voluntarily, all with the same goal: to be cured of their addiction to drugs. This Wednesday we'll hear the story of the country's first prison for drug addicts - including the many famous jazz musicians who passed through its doors, and the scandalous allegations surrounding its closure in the 1970s.
See a slide show of images from the Narcotic Farm
Related Links:
- The Narcotic Farm
- Amazon.com: The Narcotic Farm
- Reaping a Sad Harvest: A "Narcotic Farm" That Tried to Grow Recovery
- Drug Addicts - an article from TIME Magazine, Nov. 14, 1938
