The crack epidemic refers to the surge in the use and distribution of crack cocaine in the United States during the 1980s and early 1990s, which had devastating effects on urban communities, particularly among African Americans. This crisis was characterized by a sharp increase in addiction rates, violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and significant social disruption. The epidemic was closely linked to the broader War on Drugs, which fueled mass incarceration and heightened racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
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