Drug policies have begun in the 1970s and have only affected American society in a negative way, resulting in a shortfall of justice. Even though the Constitution assures equal protection to every citizen of America no matter their gender or race, the drug policies have produced many laws that unfairly targeted marginalized groups and would punish them with worse sentences than white people. When people of color are caught in possession of drugs, they are more likely to be incarcerated or even killed. However, when white people are caught in possession of drugs, they receive fewer and more lenient consequences or do not get arrested. This proves how the drug policies have caused a disparity of treatment in America and largely had negative effects on people of color over white people. Today, several colored people have been incarcerated due to these unfair drug policies, and there has been little to no reform being initiated on this issue.

The Constitution protects people from being treated differently because of their age or race: “...Nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (14th Amendment). Although the Constitution promises equal protection to all people no matter their gender, race, or age, the war against drugs resulted in many laws that unfairly targeted people of color with more sentences and more severe ones. Some examples of these racial disparities are different sentences for powder vs. crack cocaine possession and increased police presence in communities of color.