Drug Addiction History in Urban Areas Since the 1970s

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Housing inequalities after the Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement comprised various social movements that were aimed at eradicating discrimination and social segregation in American society (Ollhoff, 2011). African Americans wanted to be treated fairly and get their voting rights. The whites were uncomfortable with using the same facilities with blacks. Poverty could not allow them to live in urban areas.

Instead, they moved to inner-city neighborhoods that could sustain their poor lifestyles. Only white people inhabited urban neighborhoods. The movement lasted from 1955 to 1968. Nonviolent protests and civil resistance were the main methods used by people who took part in the movement (Ollhoff, 2011).

Poverty

Poverty among African Americans was due to the inequalities that characterized American society. The blacks had access to few opportunities while whites had access to many opportunities. After the Civil Rights Movement, many states became residentially segregated societies. Blacks were poor and therefore, inhabited inner-city neighborhoods (Ollhoff, 2011). On the other hand, whites inhabited urban neighborhoods.

The relocation of industrial enterprises into neighborhoods inhabited by whites led to the prevalence of poverty among the black population. Economic restructuring caused widespread unemployment and the relocation of African Americans into inner-city neighborhoods (Ollhoff, 2011). The poverty was also largely due to segregation and discrimination. To avoid racism and segregation, many African Americans moved to northern cities.

However, economic restructuring led to a high rate of unemployment that affected many people. The only jobs available were low wage jobs that could not support families. After economic restructuring, European immigrants moved to northern cities where African Americans had inhabited.

The few jobs available were awarded to the European immigrants at the expense of African Americans (Ollhoff, 2011). They only got unskilled jobs that had very low wages. This contributed to the prevalence of poverty in inner-city neighborhoods.

Rise of ghettos in America

The rise of ghettos was initiated by laws that were passed with the aim of segregating African Americans. Some states passed constitutions that barred members of certain races from living in areas designated for whites (Ollhoff, 2011). Segregation and discrimination led to the movement of middle and upper-class white members to suburban neighborhoods.

Unemployment and poverty led to the immigration of African Americans into inner-city neighborhoods (Ollhoff, 2011). Also, discriminative laws were also responsible for the rise of ghettos in America. Whites were violent against blacks who tried to encroach their neighborhoods because they feared that encroachment would lead to the decline of land prices. Ghettos developed in inner-city neighborhoods that were inhabited by poor people.

These neighborhoods had cheap life and thus encouraged the immigration of African Americans (Ollhoff, 2011). Most of them were living in poverty and could sustain their families by moving to these poor neighborhoods.

Segregation

African Americans were victims of widespread discrimination and segregation. The whites had developed a system that segregated African Americans to keep them under their rule. Blacks were barred from using certain public facilities to discourage any interactions with the whites (Ollhoff, 2011).

For example, certain transport facilities were only used by white people. Also, rules were developed to determine how African Americans could use certain facilities. In institutions, black units were separated from white units and governed by white generals. The whites extended segregation to the housing sector. Laws restricted members of certain races from residing in certain areas (Ollhoff, 2011).

The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War commenced in 1956 and ended in 1975. The United States supported the government of South Vietnam, while China, the Soviet Union, and other communist countries supported the government of North Vietnam (Wiest, 2008). Approximately 3 million people died during the war. Among those who died, 58,000 were Americans. The war was long and expensive.

The United States withdrew its soldiers from the war in 1973 after losing many soldiers (Wiest, 2008). The Vietnam War was a unique war because of the extent of drug use by soldiers. Vietnam was famous for the growth of marijuana. Many soldiers who took part in the war used drugs. The situation was different before the war because many of the soldiers had not used drugs before.

Before war

Before the war, drug use was not common among soldiers. However, some of them were using drugs. Many American soldiers were first introduced to drug use during the war (Fink, 2010). They could not handle the effects of the war. Rampant killings, violence, rapes, and abductions necessitated the use of substances that could enable them to forget or ignore these ills.

Major drugs used during the war included heroin and marijuana (Fink, 2010). Many countries, including America, had stringent measures that discouraged drug use among soldiers. Use or possession of drugs was a criminal act that was punishable by law (Fink, 2010). Therefore, many soldiers had not used drugs before the war.

During the war

During the Vietnam War, drug use was rampant. Soldiers mainly used marijuana and heroin (Wiest, 2008). Vietnam was famous for the growth of marijuana. Therefore, the dug was readily available to soldiers. They used it to relax, end anxiety, and gain the courage to continue with the war (Fink, 2010). Also, it aided them to take their thoughts off what was happening as well as believe in the justice of the war.

Drugs were used to blind soldiers so that they could not realize the severity of their actions. Many soldiers preferred marijuana to heroin. Under army rules, drug use by soldiers was a criminal act. However, commanders and other army leaders encouraged it because it helped soldiers to fight (Fink, 2010). After the media revealed the use of drugs by soldiers, the government implemented measures to make marijuana difficult to obtain (Wiest, 2008).

The measures reduced the availability of marijuana but on the other hand, increased the use of heroin. Army leaders encouraged the use of drugs because they helped soldiers to fight, forget their families, and gain courage. The continued use led to addiction among soldiers (Wiest, 2008). A study conducted during the war indicated that approximately 40 percent of soldiers that participated in the war became addicted.

Aftereffects of the war

After the war, drug addiction had far-reaching effects on soldiers. The use of heroin was more debilitating than the use of marijuana (Fink, 2010). After going home, addicted soldiers succumbed to illnesses because they could not obtain drugs due to strict anti-drugs laws (Wiest, 2008). The effects of drug addiction were made worse by post-traumatic stress disorder that afflicted the soldiers.

The government helped soldiers to overcome the addiction. However, some of them were unable to recover fully. Historians argue that about 5 percent of the addicted soldiers became re-addicted (Fink, 2010). The environment is a critical factor in helping an individual overcome addiction.

Many soldiers overcame drug addiction because they had left the war environment that was the cause of their addiction (Wiest, 2008). Post-traumatic stress disorder was a factor that contributed to the inability of some soldiers to overcome their addictions. They needed drugs to handle their situations.

The Crack Era

Crack Era refers to the period during which crack cocaine became rampant across the United States. In the 1980s, large quantities of cocaine from the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic were shipped to the United States (Webb, 1999). The largest quantity of cocaine shipment landed in the city of Miami. The shipment led to a decrease in the price of cocaine because it was readily available.

Low prices motivated peddlers to convert powder cocaine into a solid form that could be sold in smaller quantities to increase its affordability (Webb, 1999). Therefore, many people were able to afford the drug. The solid form of the drug was referred to as “crack.”

Crack was readily available and affordable, it was easy to produce, and it was highly profitable. It was sold in a ready to use form. Its high profitability attracted many peddlers who were afflicted by poverty and unemployment.

Drug Addiction

The Crack Era was characterized by high rates of drug addiction. The epidemic commenced in Los Angeles and later spread to other cities of the United States (Webb, 1999). The availability of cocaine due to low prices led to drug addiction among users, which led to family breakups and rampant crime. New cocaine dealers were individuals who had families.

Therefore, they had to peddle cocaine to earn income to take care of their families. Many children grew up with one parent. Also, many young people dropped out of schools because of addiction. They could not concentrate on their education. The high rates of unemployment and harsh economic times were the main factors that contributed to the indulgence of young people (Webb, 1999).

The drugs were common in ghettos and other poor neighborhoods. Therefore, people turned to crime to sustain their addictions. Cocaine-related emergencies at American hospitals increased. Crack cocaine was available in 48 states, including the District of Columbia.

Crime

During this era, crime increased. Many young people turned to crime after dropping from schools. Many groups of people, including low-skilled workers, lost their jobs in production factories (Webb, 1999). This was due to the closure of many factories.

Also, many low-income earners turned to drug peddling to increase their earnings. The development of gangs was the main source of crime because gang members fought over territories and prices. The struggle that ensued led to high rates of homicides. Gang leaders used all measures to ensure that new members did not infiltrate their territories (Webb, 1999).

On the other hand, addicts used crime as a source of money to satisfy their addictions. The robbery was common in cities and middle-income neighborhoods. The high rate of crime necessitated the development of new security measures in neighborhoods. The crime was so rampant that a great percentage of people in prisons were drug dealers and users.

For example, 70% of people arrested in New York City during the Crack era were drug users (Webb, 1999). Violent crime was the most common type of crime. Historians attributed the rise and fall of crime in America to the Crack Era.

For example, during this period, the rate of homicide doubled. Victims were mainly young people between the ages of 14 and 24. Cities populated by low-income earners were the most affected. The crime caused social disintegration because children grew in an environment that was characterized by violence and crime (Webb, 1999).

CIA and government involvement

The government commenced a war on drugs by implementing stringent laws that illegalized crack cocaine. Laws against crack were more severe than laws against powder cocaine. The CIA was accused of starting the epidemic because its officers had knowledge of cocaine shipment but failed to act (Webb, 1999). Young black Americans were the main targets.

The involvement of the CIA and the government led to the imprisonment of many people and high rates of incarceration. The USA had the highest rates of imprisonment, which involved mainly young people. Many communities and families were destroyed. The CIA contributed to the crack pandemic in some way because some of its members became involved in the business.

They spared some gangs because they were compromised with huge sums of money (Webb, 1999). Some were even involved directly. The allegation prompted an internal CIA investigation to find out whether some members were involved. The findings of the investigation did not implicate any CIA member in the cocaine saga.

Rebuilding a nation (1990-current)

After the crack epidemic, the government took the necessary measures to curb the drug menace. The epidemic was popularized by the media. A report released in 1986 revealed that the use of crack cocaine had declined significantly. However, the media’s coverage of the issue depicted otherwise.

After 1991, the peddling and use of crack cocaine declined significantly because of the government’s efforts (Webb, 1999). The stringent laws that were passed led to the incarceration of many people. Many families disintegrated because fathers and mothers were among the people incarcerated (Blumstein & Wallman, 2006).

On the other hand, the decline was due to lessons learned by young people from the crack epidemic. Children who were affected due to incarceration and addiction of either their parents or siblings avoided cocaine (Blumstein & Wallman, 2006). They were afraid of getting into similar problems.

The American government was never lenient with either crack peddlers or users. People arrested for peddling or possession were awarded long jail sentences that discouraged other people from taking part in the trade (Webb, 1999). Police officers increased their presence in ghettos and poor neighborhoods. The result of waning cocaine use was a decline in the number of homicides and robberies.

The government set up rehabilitation centers that helped addicts to recover. The introduction of rehabilitation centers and strict anti-cocaine laws led to a decrease in crack addiction (Blumstein & Wallman, 2006). Children that had lost their parents learned hard lessons from and thus avoided drugs.

Decreased addictions resulted from harsh crack sentences and mandatory prison terms for individuals incarcerated for possessions (Blumstein & Wallman, 2006). However, some individuals never reformed after imprisonment. After violence and drug use waned, the government declined to revise penalties awarded to individuals arrested for possession (Webb, 1999).

Therefore, prisoners who were released after serving their sentences reverted to drug peddling because they could not get employment. In its reformation agenda, the government considered the effect of crack cocaine on families and communities.

Inner city neighborhoods were the most affected by the Crack Era (Webb, 1999). The effects of the government’s clean up measures had devastating effects. Many fathers went to jail, and mothers abandoned their children because they could not support them (Blumstein & Wallman, 2006). Children were left to take care of themselves as their mothers were lured into the streets.

The despair and struggle the children went through made life difficult in poor neighborhoods. Some struggled without the lure of drugs, while others could not avoid it. Today, inner-city communities show evidence of the lethal effects of the epidemic.

Non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations are offering counseling and relief services to families that were affected. Many young people are pursuing education and are thus able to support their families. The peddling of crack cocaine has waned significantly, and the government has intensified the fight against drugs.

Summary and conclusion

The history of drug addiction could be traced back to the 1970s after the Civil Rights Movement. After the movement, there was widespread segregation of African Americans that led to rampant poverty that led to the immigration of African Americans into inner-city neighborhoods that could support their lifestyles. The Vietnam War is famous because it was characterized by high rates of drug use among soldiers.

The most used drugs were heroin and marijuana. Laws prohibited drug use among soldiers. However, some leaders encouraged it because drugs helped soldiers to fight and come to terms with the ills they propagated. Many soldiers had their first encounter with drugs during the war. More than 40 percent of soldiers became addicted. After the war, many soldiers became succumbed to illnesses because they could not obtain drugs to satisfy their addiction.

Approximately 5 percent of addicted soldiers did not succeed in eliminating their addiction. Their situations were made worse by post-traumatic stress order. The rise of ghettos in America could be attributed to poverty among African Americans. Ghettos facilitated the success of the Crack Era in the 1980s. The Crack Era was a period of rampant peddling and use of crack cocaine in the United States of America.

The CIA started the crack epidemic even though the organization distanced its members from any participation in the cocaine trade. Many people became addicted because the crack was readily available and affordable. Poor individuals turned to peddle as a source of income to take care of their families.

On the other hand, addicts turned to crime to get money to purchase drugs. Crime increased because gang members always fought for the control of crack prices and territories. The peddling and use of cocaine waned in the 1990s after the government developed strict laws to fight the crack menace. Anyone arrested for peddling, use, or possession was awarded a long jail sentence.

The rate of incarceration increased, and many families, as well as communities, disintegrated. Mothers were lured into the streets, and children were left to fend for themselves. The effects of the era are still apparent in today’s inner city neighborhoods. Children avoided drugs because they did not want to encounter the same problems that their parents and siblings encountered.

References

Blumstein, A., & Wallman, J. (2006). The Crime drop In America. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Fink, G. (2010). Stress of War, Conflict, and Disaster. New York: Academic Stress. Ollhoff, J. (2011). The Civil Rights Movement. New York: ABDO.

Webb, G. (1999). Dark Alliance: the CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion. New York: Seven Stories Press.

Wiest, A. (2008). The Vietnam War. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group.

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