Origins of Crack Cocaine
This decade saw the rapid rise of crack cocaine in the United States.
What is the 1980s?
This anti-drug campaign led to stricter sentencing and mass incarceration.
What is the War on Drugs?
This government agency was accused of ignoring drug trafficking connected to anti-communist efforts.
What is the CIA?
This helped increase public fear and support for stricter drug laws.
What is sensationalized media coverage?
This was one long-term consequence of strict drug laws during the crack epidemic.
What is mass incarceration?
This smokable form of cocaine created a faster and more intense high.
What is crack cocaine?
This law created much harsher penalties for crack cocaine than powder cocaine.
What is the Anti-Drug Abuse Act?
This type of activity increased the supply of cocaine entering the United States.
What is international drug trafficking?
This group was often unfairly stereotyped during the crack epidemic.
Who are Black Americans and urban communities?
These were commonly damaged by addiction and incarceration during the epidemic.
What are families and communities?
This ingredient was commonly used to turn powder cocaine into crack.
What is baking soda?
This issue was criticized because crack offenses received harsher punishment than powder cocaine offenses.
What is sentencing disparity?
These allegations suggested government corruption may have contributed to the crack epidemic.
What are conspiracy theories involving the CIA and drug trafficking?
These portrayals often showed crack users as criminals and threats to society.
What are negative media stereotypes?
This approach was often missing from the government response to addiction.
What is rehabilitation and mental health treatment?
These communities were disproportionately affected by the crack epidemic.
What are low-income urban communities?
These programs focused more on punishment than rehabilitation during the crack epidemic.
What are mandatory minimum sentencing laws?
This was not fully proven in the documentary, though investigations and allegations were discussed.
What is direct CIA involvement in the crack epidemic?
These can help reduce substance abuse and addiction in communities.
What are education, treatment, and community support programs?
This system became more aggressive in urban communities during the crack epidemic.
What is policing or law enforcement?
The documentary suggests addiction should be treated more like this instead of only a crime.
What is a public health issue?
This modern crisis is often compared to the crack epidemic.
What is the opioid crisis?
This can happen when one person chooses to drive under the influence.
What is loss of life or lifelong trauma?
Many people turned to this type of activity because of poverty and limited opportunities.
What is selling drugs?
This made crack cocaine widely available in low-income neighborhoods.
What is low cost and easy distribution?