Race and the War on Drugs
Encyclopedia
Several authors have claimed that there are racial disparities
in arrests, prosecutions, imprisonment, rehabilitation programs, and other aspects of the War on Drugs
.
backed the law, which they say implies that the law cannot be racist.
Crime statistics show that in 1999 in the United States blacks were far more likely to be targeted by law enforcement for drug crimes, and received much stiffer penalties and sentences than whites.
In 1998 there were wide racial disparities in arrests, prosecutions, sentencing and deaths. African-Americans, who only comprised 13% of regular drug users, made up for 35% of drug arrests, 55% of convictions, and 74% of people sent to prison for drug possession crimes. Nationwide African-Americans sent to state prisons for drug offenses 13 times more often than white men, even though they only comprise 13% of regular drug users.
In the late 1990s, black and white women had similar levels of drug use during pregnancy
. In spite of this, black women were 10 times as likely as white women to be reported to a child welfare agency for prenatal drug use.
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
in arrests, prosecutions, imprisonment, rehabilitation programs, and other aspects of the War on Drugs
War on Drugs
The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...
.
Arrests / Imprisonment
In 1986, the U.S. Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 which, amongst other things, created a 100 to 1 sentencing disparity for crack vs. powder cocaine possession, which some people consider to be a racist law which discriminates against minorities, who are more likely to use crack than powder cocaine. People convicted in federal court of possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine will receive a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years in federal prison. On the other hand, possession of 500 grams of powder cocaine carries the same sentence. Some other authors, however, have pointed out that the Congressional Black CaucusCongressional Black Caucus
The Congressional Black Caucus is an organization representing the black members of the United States Congress. Membership is exclusive to blacks, and its chair in the 112th Congress is Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri.-Aims:...
backed the law, which they say implies that the law cannot be racist.
Crime statistics show that in 1999 in the United States blacks were far more likely to be targeted by law enforcement for drug crimes, and received much stiffer penalties and sentences than whites.
In 1998 there were wide racial disparities in arrests, prosecutions, sentencing and deaths. African-Americans, who only comprised 13% of regular drug users, made up for 35% of drug arrests, 55% of convictions, and 74% of people sent to prison for drug possession crimes. Nationwide African-Americans sent to state prisons for drug offenses 13 times more often than white men, even though they only comprise 13% of regular drug users.
In the late 1990s, black and white women had similar levels of drug use during pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
. In spite of this, black women were 10 times as likely as white women to be reported to a child welfare agency for prenatal drug use.