War on Drugs
War on People

Under the guise of creating order by fighting crime, President Reagan increased FBI budgets from 8 million to 95 million while reducing funds for drug treatment and education. In 1987, when the War on Drugs hit, employment of African American men was down to 28%. From 1980-1995, over 80,000 people were arrested for simple marijuana use. While the African American men were sent to prison for drugs, the women suffered, being left to raise their families alone. Government Aid was denied to those who had been convicted of a felony crime, therefore, many African American women denied their husbands upon their release from prison.  This effectively raged war on the black family. (2)

 

Being convicted of a felony, even for a simple marijuana conviction, led to legalized discrimination against African Americans. Housing, jobs, government assistance, and even voting rights were stripped from convicted felons. Looking at this alone, there is no denying that the War on Drugs is a War on People, specifically black families.