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Race, Gender, and Drugs in the Era of Mass Incarceration: Critical Issues in Crime

Haruki Murakami

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Published in Addicted To Rehab: Race Gender And Drugs In The Era Of Mass Incarceration (Critical Issues In Crime And Society)

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The book "Race, Gender, and Drugs in the Era of Mass Incarceration: Critical Issues in Crime" provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersectionality of race, gender, and drug use in the context of the US criminal justice system. Edited by Tara Herivel and Johnna Christian, this volume brings together leading scholars and activists to explore the disproportionate impact of drug laws on marginalized communities, the gendered experiences of drug use and incarceration, and the need for transformative approaches to drug policy.

The Disproportionate Impact of Drug Laws on Marginalized Communities

One of the central themes of the book is the disproportionate impact of drug laws on marginalized communities, particularly communities of color. As the editors note in the , "the war on drugs has been a war on people of color, particularly Black and Latinx people." This is due in part to the fact that drug laws are often enforced in a discriminatory manner, with police targeting minority communities and individuals for drug-related offenses at higher rates than white individuals.

Addicted to Rehab: Race, Gender, and Drugs in the Era of Mass Incarceration (Critical Issues in Crime and Society)

by Allison McKim

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1806 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	246 pages

The book provides a number of examples of this disparate treatment, including the fact that Black people are more likely to be arrested for drug offenses than white people, even though they use drugs at similar rates. Black people are also more likely to be convicted of drug offenses and to receive longer sentences than white people for the same offenses.

This disparate treatment has led to a situation where people of color are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. In 2018, for example, Black people made up 34% of the US prison population, despite only making up 13% of the US population. This overrepresentation is due in large part to the war on drugs, which has led to the mass incarceration of people of color for drug-related offenses.

The Gendered Experiences of Drug Use and Incarceration

Another important theme of the book is the gendered experiences of drug use and incarceration. The book argues that drug use and incarceration have different meanings and consequences for men and women. For example, women are more likely to be arrested for drug offenses related to their role as caregivers, such as possession of prescription drugs without a valid prescription. Women are also more likely to be incarcerated for drug offenses related to their own drug use, rather than for selling or distributing drugs.

The book also highlights the fact that women face unique challenges in prison. Women are more likely to be placed in solitary confinement, which can have devastating effects on their mental and physical health. Women are also more likely to be subjected to sexual abuse and violence in prison.

The gendered experiences of drug use and incarceration are a major concern, and the book calls for a more gender-responsive approach to drug policy and criminal justice.

The Need for Transformative Approaches to Drug Policy

The final theme of the book is the need for transformative approaches to drug policy. The book argues that the current approach to drug policy, which is based on criminalization and punishment, has failed. This approach has led to the mass incarceration of people of color and women, and it has done little to reduce drug use or drug-related crime.

The book calls for a more harm reduction-based approach to drug policy. Harm reduction is a public health approach that aims to reduce the negative consequences of drug use, without necessarily reducing drug use itself. Harm reduction strategies include providing clean needles to people who inject drugs, offering drug treatment and counseling, and decriminalizing the possession and use of small amounts of drugs.

The book argues that a harm reduction-based approach to drug policy would be more effective in reducing drug-related crime and improving the health and well-being of people who use drugs. The book also calls for a more just and equitable approach to drug policy, one that takes into account the disproportionate impact of drug laws on marginalized communities and the gendered experiences of drug use and incarceration.

"Race, Gender, and Drugs in the Era of Mass Incarceration: Critical Issues in Crime" is a timely and important book that provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersectionality of race, gender, and drug use in the context of the US criminal justice system. The book's contributors offer a range of perspectives on this complex issue, and they provide a compelling case for the need for transformative approaches to drug policy.

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of race, gender, and drugs, and it is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and activists working to create a more just and equitable drug policy.

Addicted to Rehab: Race, Gender, and Drugs in the Era of Mass Incarceration (Critical Issues in Crime and Society)

by Allison McKim

4.3 out of 5