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The setting for the crack era: macro forces, micro consequences (1960-1992).
1National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, New York 10013.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Macro social forces like economic decline and job loss disproportionately impacted inner-city economies, leading to increased household distress and substance abuse. This article examines these societal shifts and their chronic effects on inner-city residents.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- Criminology
Background:
- Overview of social history from 1960 to present.
- Focus on the crack era and its precursors.
- Examination of macro social forces impacting urban environments.
Observation:
- Economic decline, job loss, ghettoization, housing abandonment, and homelessness disproportionately affected inner-city economies.
- These macro forces created micro-level consequences for inner-city residents.
- Increased household, family, and individual distress observed.
Findings:
- Economic marginality is linked to high rates of alcohol and drug abuse.
- Criminality is a significant consequence of economic marginality in inner cities.
- A case study illustrates the chronic, multi-generational impacts on an inner-city household.
Implications:
- Understanding the social history is crucial for addressing urban poverty and its consequences.
- Policy interventions should consider the interplay of macro-level social forces and micro-level outcomes.
- The findings highlight the need for comprehensive support systems for vulnerable urban populations.