Title: Crack epidemic | United States history [1980s] | Britannica
Headings: Crack epidemic
Crack epidemic
United States history [1980s]
Crack cocaine
Arrival in the United States
Crack in African American communities
Governmental efforts to address the epidemic
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Content: Many small-time drug dealers worked independently and outside the control of organizations like the Medellín cartel. The rewards clearly outweighed the risks. A small-time drug dealer who sold crack daily earned a median net income of $2,000 per month. The increase in the demand for crack cocaine caused intense competition between drug dealers as they fought to profit from the same customers. Consequently, violence became linked to crack cocaine as these small-time drug dealers defended their economic boundaries. The emergence of crack cocaine in the inner cities led to a drastic increase in crime between 1981 and 1986. Federal prison admission for drug offenses soared, and murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rates increased significantly. There were also marked increases in robbery and aggravated assault. Governmental efforts to address the epidemic
The administration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan early on began to prioritize what came to be called the “ War on Drugs ,” which combatted drug trafficking and aimed to end the crack cocaine epidemic destroying many lives. The efforts included the passing of federal anti-drug laws, increased federal anti-drug funding, the initiation and expansion of prison and police programs, and the establishment of private organizations, such as Partnership for a Drug-Free America, to campaign on its behalf.