From Crack to Opiates: An Analysis of How Environmental and Social Factors Foster Addiction

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the crack cocaine epidemic that swept the United States during the 1980’s, with and the current heroin epidemic affecting the United States. This is a comparative study, one that will investigate the environmental and social factors responsible for the fostering of drug addiction in specific areas throughout America. The main aspect I explore is whether race and socioeconomic status influence environmental and social factors that allow for not only drugs to infiltrate communities, but for these drugs to persist in such areas with high frequency. I want to differentiate the two epidemics by mentioning the similarities, yet, highlight major differences responsible for each of these epidemics.