Final answer:
During the 1980s, law enforcement treated crack and powder cocaine differently, with crack cocaine facing harsher penalties. This created racial and socio-economic inequalities in the criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the 1980s, law enforcement dealt with crack cocaine and powder cocaine differently. Crack cocaine, which was more affordable and predominantly used by lower-income individuals, faced harsher penalties compared to powder cocaine, which was associated with wealthier users. For example, possessing 50 grams of crack would lead to a ten-year prison sentence, while possessing 5,000 grams of powder cocaine would yield an equivalent punishment. This sentencing disparity created racial and socio-economic inequalities in the criminal justice system.