Final answer:
Politicians in the early 1980s primarily blamed crack cocaine for the high rate of violent crime. The abuse of this drug was seen as a major cause of crime, particularly in poorer communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the early 1980s, politicians primarily blamed crack cocaine for the relatively high rate of violent crime. The abuse of crack cocaine was seen as a major cause of crime, particularly in poorer communities. The Reagan administration and other conservatives led a campaign to address the issue through a 'war on drugs' and initiatives like the 'Just Say No' campaign.
This narrative fueled the perception of a direct link between the drug and criminal activities. The political discourse surrounding crack cocaine contributed to the formulation of policies like the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, which imposed strict penalties for crack-related offenses, disproportionately impacting minority communities.