In July 1951, CBS Radio Network began broadcasting the six-part radio series "The Nation's Nightmare." The series was written and produced by Irving Gitlin and narrated by CBS News announcer Bill Downs. Each episode consisted of audio recordings of "underworld figures, victims and law enforcement officials," with explanatory narration. Among other things, the episodes addressed illegal drugs and organized crime. CBS commissioned illustrations from Andy Warhol for its advertising campaign, including a striking drawing of a young man injecting heroin. CBS Radio Network rebroadcast it in September 1951. It was well-received, and received a Peabody Award.

In 1952, CBS Records released two episodes of "The Nation's Nightmare" on LP: "The Narcotic Evil" and "Crime on the Waterfront." The cover of the LP featured two drawings by Andy Warhol, for which Warhol received his first Art Directors Club Medal.

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