Separate and Unequal –
December 8, 2019 – In the late 1980s, the crack epidemic launched a War on Drugs that disproportionately arrested and punished black Americans.But a generation later, when a new drug scourge struck white communities across the country, the response was dramatically different. The focus shifted to saving lives, treatment, and second chances. A year-long investigation by the Asbury Park Press and the USA TODAY Network reveals a glaring double standard that hinges on race. The project examines how the responses to crack and opioids created an unfair justice system; what needs to be done to fix the inequity; the role that culture and comedy play; and our top 5 takeaways from the project.
