Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 

Black Americans Far More Likely to Be Jailed for Drugs, Study Says
December 6, 2007

Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Black and white Americans use illicit drugs at about the same rate, but blacks are 10 times more likely to be imprisoned on drug charges, according to research from the Justice Policy Institute.

Reuters reported Dec. 4 that the report found that the disparity persisted in most large counties in the U.S. Blacks, who represent 13 percent of the U.S. population, comprise about half of the 175,000 people jailed for drug offenses in 2002.

"What you keep seeing is this towering drug admission rate for African Americans and a very small rate for whites. In many cases, the admission rate for whites is smaller than the (percentage of whites in the) whole population," said Justice Policy Institute Executive Director Jason Ziedenberg.

The report said the federal crack-cocaine sentencing disparity, more law-enforcement focus on inner-city areas, and greater leniency among probation officers toward white offenders help explain the disparities. Ziedenberg urged policymakers to invest more money in addiction treatment programs.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)

Enter this word
(help):
Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for everyone, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post personal requests for help or general promotions for your organization (Get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.