The war on crack cocaine became publicized with help of the media and shortly after Ronald Reagan started his presidency his wife also joined in the “war on drugs”. She started the phrase “say no” which was a campaign assisted in creating a zero tolerance for drug usage. This campaign once more targeted blacks by targeting the drug forms that were mostly associated with them. More people that were addicted to drugs such as crack cocaine were subject to draconian penalties that were passed during the zero tolerance for drug usage era.
The "war on drugs" led to Congress passing the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. This act required a minimum sentence of five years of any individual that got caught with at least five grams of crack cocaine. Five grams is equivalent to just a couple of rocks of the substance. Even if this was a person 's first time offender he or she will automatically be sentenced to five years behind bars.
The same Act passed by Congress gave a slap on the wrist to individuals that sold or used the powder form of cocaine. In order for …show more content…
In 2010, President Obama passed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. This particular Act helps to eliminate the five-year minimum sentence that was associated with possession of few rocks of cocaine (Davis, 2010). Individuals that are caught with the substance will receive consequence for their actions but it would be a sentence that fits the crime more when compared to the disproportionate consequences found in the Act passed in 1986.
Conclusion
The first battle in the “war on drugs” had consequences that could be viewed as racist and unfair. The “war on drugs” should be fought against the substance instead of targeting those that are victims already. A “war on drug” that is fair to all ethnic and color groups and users can really help to eliminate the problems that are associated with illegal
The "war on drugs" led to Congress passing the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. This act required a minimum sentence of five years of any individual that got caught with at least five grams of crack cocaine. Five grams is equivalent to just a couple of rocks of the substance. Even if this was a person 's first time offender he or she will automatically be sentenced to five years behind bars.
The same Act passed by Congress gave a slap on the wrist to individuals that sold or used the powder form of cocaine. In order for …show more content…
In 2010, President Obama passed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. This particular Act helps to eliminate the five-year minimum sentence that was associated with possession of few rocks of cocaine (Davis, 2010). Individuals that are caught with the substance will receive consequence for their actions but it would be a sentence that fits the crime more when compared to the disproportionate consequences found in the Act passed in 1986.
Conclusion
The first battle in the “war on drugs” had consequences that could be viewed as racist and unfair. The “war on drugs” should be fought against the substance instead of targeting those that are victims already. A “war on drug” that is fair to all ethnic and color groups and users can really help to eliminate the problems that are associated with illegal