Drugs In The 1980s Essay

The 1980s marked a turbulent era in the history of drugs. From President Reagan’s call in 1986 for a “nationwide crusade” against drugs to the “Just Say No” anti-drug propaganda led by First Lady Nancy Reagan, eliminating drug use—particularly crack cocaine—was placed at the forefront of society’s most pressing issues. While President Reagan’s relentless pursuit of a drug-free society was hard to ignore, one tragic event that devastated the nation truly made it impossible to overlook: basketball sensation Len Bias’ death. His death amplified the panic that resulted in significant effects on the NBA’s stance on drugs in addition to fueling the subsequent racialization of drug policy in the U.S.

As an ardent basketball fan, it was difficult

In particular, Bias’ death sparked action in sports organizations such as the NBA. Before his death, drug testing was not mandatory and was largely unenforced. In the decades leading up to the 1980s, the NBA faced a number of challenges related to its reputation, including concerns about player behavior and drug use. Many players were known to use drugs, including cocaine, and some became addicted. This behavior was often seen as evidence of the moral decline of American society and was linked to broader concerns about crime, violence, and social decay. In response, the NBA introduced mandatory drug testing for all players, with random testing throughout the season. Players who tested positive for drugs were subject to suspensions and fines, and repeat offenders faced more severe penalties, including permanent bans from the

The racialization of the “War on Drugs” campaign was particularly evident in the sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Crack cocaine—more commonly used by black and brown communities—was punished much more severely than powder cocaine—more commonly used by white populations. This disparity resulted in disproportionate sentencing for black and brown people, contributing to the disproportionate incarceration rates and criminalization of these people According to Danielle Kurtzleben of the U.S. News & World Report’s 2010 analysis on the U.S. Sentencing Commission figures, “79 percent of 5,669 sentenced crack offenders in 2009 were black, versus 10 percent who were white and 10 percent who were Hispanic. The figures for the 6,020 powder cocaine cases are far less skewed: 17 percent of these offenders were white, 28 percent were black, and 53 percent were Hispanic” (“Data Show Racial Disparity in Crack Sentencing”). Moreover, according to government data, “Drug use rates are similar among all racial and ethnic groups. For crack cocaine, two-thirds of users in the U.S. are white or Hispanic . . . Despite these facts, people of color are disproportionately subject to the penalties for both types of cocaine. Indeed, 818.8 percent of crack cocaine defendants in 2006