OVERREPRESENTED

Drug War Locks Up More Blacks

Blacks account for 27 percent of South Carolina's population, yet comprise
more than 68 percent of its prison inmates, according to figures released
by the U.S. Census. Many factors - cultural, social and economic - can be
cited as contributors to such a high concentration of black males in
prison. In terms of policy, the one thing that deserves the most review is
this nation's war on drugs.

By extension, the war on drugs is also South Carolina's battle. Here,
blacks have suffered the heaviest casualties because of law enforcement
strategies that have been successful at locking up heavily minority
street-level dealers, mandatory minimum sentencing, disparities between
penalties for crack and powder cocaine and a traditional disregard for
treatment over incarceration for nonviolent, small-time drug offenders.

There has been some encouraging policymaking of late aimed at stemming the
tide of drug incarcerations overall. Drug Courts have shown great promise
by allowing first-time drug offenders to successfully complete treatment
and avoid prison.

Also, a waning appetite for crack cocaine has meant a decrease in violence
associated with the sale and use of the drug.

Still, there is an outcry among prison advocates for federal and state
officials to review the consequences of mandatory minimums and the fairness
of higher penalties for crack cocaine. Politics makes substantive review
unlikely.

The best hope to stop this trend is education, mentoring programs and
pre-trial intervention programs that give young offenders a chance to avoid
prison.