Final answer:
The conflict perspective highlights how ideas about race have influenced drug laws, resulting in racial biases in enforcement and punishment. Drug laws have been fueled by racial, ethnic, and economic antagonisms, leading to disproportionate targeting and punishment of certain racial and ethnic groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conflict perspective suggests that ideas about race have influenced drug laws in several ways. One way is that drug laws have been fueled by racial, ethnic, and economic antagonisms. This means that certain racial and ethnic groups have been disproportionately targeted and punished for drug offenses.
For example, drug laws have historically been more severe for drugs commonly associated with communities of color, while drugs predominantly consumed by white populations have often been treated more leniently. This demonstrates how ideas about race have influenced the enforcement and punishment of drug offenses.
It is important to note that drug policy should be based on evidence and public health considerations rather than racial stereotypes. However, historical and ongoing racial biases have played a role in shaping drug laws.
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