A Bit Torn, Actually
I really don't know how I feel about reducing the sentences of those people accused of crack cocaine trafficing. On one hand, I do feel bad for the kids who got caught their first time out with a measly five grams and then got the required five year minimum. On the other hand, most crack dealing is handled by gangs - is their major source of income, in fact - and the promise of money from dealing with gangs lures a lot of kids into selling.
Crack is also a whole lot more dangerous than powdered cocaine. A coke user will take a number of years to reach the point of giving themselves cardiac arrest. Crack users can die within a year of taking their first hit if they become habitual users. I imagine someone hoped that the stiffer penalties for crack trafficing would deter kids from joining gangs, and combined with the efforts of gang task forces, I imagine it has helped somewhat.
What perplexes me is why everyone is making this into a racial issue. It's more of a poverty issue if you ask me. People who can afford powdered cocaine use it and sell it. If you're growing up in the projects of Chicago and the best hope you have of supporting yourself is selling crack for a local gang, then chances are good that's what you're going to do. Sure, there are cases of people rising above their situations in life, but I'd wager good money that a grand majority of people choose the path of least resistance. People rarely diverge from the status quo when things are precarious financially. The kids joining the crack gangs in Chicago are no exception.
Crack is also a whole lot more dangerous than powdered cocaine. A coke user will take a number of years to reach the point of giving themselves cardiac arrest. Crack users can die within a year of taking their first hit if they become habitual users. I imagine someone hoped that the stiffer penalties for crack trafficing would deter kids from joining gangs, and combined with the efforts of gang task forces, I imagine it has helped somewhat.
What perplexes me is why everyone is making this into a racial issue. It's more of a poverty issue if you ask me. People who can afford powdered cocaine use it and sell it. If you're growing up in the projects of Chicago and the best hope you have of supporting yourself is selling crack for a local gang, then chances are good that's what you're going to do. Sure, there are cases of people rising above their situations in life, but I'd wager good money that a grand majority of people choose the path of least resistance. People rarely diverge from the status quo when things are precarious financially. The kids joining the crack gangs in Chicago are no exception.