The Suburban Crisis

The Suburban Crisis examines how the American war on drugs has historically centered on protecting white middle-class youth while marginalizing urban minorities, revealing the racial and political forces shaping drug policies since the 1950s. Matthew Lassiter explores the evolution of this approach, highlighting how beliefs about white victims and racial stereotypes influenced legislation and law enforcement efforts. The book sheds light on the ways punitive policies and public health initiatives have combined to create a system of social control rooted in racial injustice, with implications still felt today.