The main reason the U.S. prison population quadrupled from 1980 to 2000 was the burgeoning number of persons incarcerated for drug offenses; an arrestee's chances of being sentenced to prison for a drug offense increased 447 percent from 1980 to 1992. Although African-Americans are disproportionately represented in the U.S. prison population for most offenses, racial disproportionality is most pronounced for drug offenses. Research has shown that the "war on drugs" has led to an overrepresentation of African-Americans at every stage of the criminal justice system. Racial disparities in drug arrests can be attributed to differences in the allocation of police resources for drug law enforcement. Police departments have focused their resources on countering drug-selling in inner-cities. Open-air drug sales are characteristic of inner-city neighborhoods; whereas, drug sales in suburban neighborhoods are more likely to occur indoors. Open-air drug sales are easier and less expensive for police to investigate and target for sting operations. The disproportionate increase in the imprisonment of African-American men and women has had a devastating effect on family stability, security, and quality of life in African-American neighborhoods. Prison terms for felony drug offenses have reduced employment prospects and disenfranchised millions of African-Americans. Convictions for felony offenses prohibit many African-Americans from voting and being eligible for benefits such as student loans, public housing assistance, and drivers' licenses. Thus, adverse life-long consequences result from imprisonment for drug offenses. 53 references