Date of Award
5-31-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Criminology and Criminal Justice, MA
First Advisor
Averi Fegadel
Second Advisor
Della Winters
Committee Members
Averi Fegadel; Della Winters; Sanjeev Acharya
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2023 B87
Abstract
This study compares two widely known drug epidemics: the crack-cocaine epidemic and the methamphetamine epidemic that has shifted our criminal justice system and societies within the last 40 years. The research is conducted utilizing a qualitative content analysis, with a concentration on the rhetoric of politicians who create a moral panic around any specific drug when beneficial to them. Racial disparity demonstrated through inconsistent sentencing and mistreatment of individuals is investigated, along with the militarization of police as ordered by government officials. The War on Drugs – a war that can never be won – is thoroughly reviewed to elucidate better understanding of where the downfall of consequences from these social wars began, in relation to the myriad of issues that have been displayed as a result of this declaration of the War on Drugs. Results of the analysis are discussed and potential modifications to prevent a future of legal disparity.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Burdsal, Sasha Nicole, "Moral Panics and Politicians Who Create Them: A Comparative Historical Analysis of The Crack-Cocaine and Methamphetamine Epidemics in The United States" (2023). Student Theses and Dissertations. 195.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/195
Included in
American Politics Commons, Criminology Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons
