1982
Washington, DC, DC · On map
President Ronald Reagan officially announced his administration's War on Drugs in October 1982, continuing 'tough on crime' rhetoric that disproportionately targeted minority communities. This policy shift led to a massive increase in federal drug enforcement and prison populations, with Black and Latino communities facing significantly harsher penalties than white offenders for similar crimes [3]. The declaration set the stage for subsequent legislation that cemented racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
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