Drug-free zone laws were implemented at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic as a part of the “War on Drugs.” These laws enhanced penalties for drug crimes committed in areas frequented by children with the hope of keeping drug dealers from selling to kids, and to keep drug-related violence away from them.

 

Sounds like a good idea, right?

 

In theory, perhaps. However, in practice, drug-free zone laws impose unreasonably harsh penalties that disproportionately affect low-income areas