[255] Additionally, Nancy Reagan founded the "Just Say No" campaign to discourage others from engaging in recreational drug use and raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.[256] A 1988 study showed 39 percent of high school seniors using illegal drugs compared to 53 percent in 1980,[257] but Scott Lilienfeld and Hal Arkowitz say that the success of these types of campaigns have not been found to be affirmatively proven.[258]

Escalation of the Cold War
Further information: Cold War (1979–1985)
Reagan meeting with Afghan mujahideen leaders, February 1983
Reagan ordered a massive defense buildup;[259] he revived the B-1 Lancer program that had been canceled by the Carter administration,[260] and deployed the MX missile.[261] In response to Soviet deployment of the SS-20, he oversaw NATO's deployment of the Pershing missile in Western Europe.[262] In 1982, Reagan tried to cut off the Soviet Union's access to hard currency by impeding its proposed gas line to Western Europe. It hurt the Soviet economy, but it also caused ill will among American allies in Europe who counted on that revenue; he retreated on this issue.