Crack vs. Heroin: Faces from the epidemics (2024)

Springwood Avenue in Newark, New Jersey in 1987. Scene of the 1967 riots, the neighborhood was in dire condition when crack hit in the late 1980s.

Springwood Avenue in Newark shown in 1986. Scene of the 1967 riots, the neighborhood was in dire condition when crack hit in the late 1980s.

Newark police officers set up the emergency lights in their vehicle in this 1990 file photo.

Suspects being taken into custody in Newark in 1990.

Newark police and state troopers search men in Newark in 1990. No arrests were made.

The photo from the Associated Press is of an amateur video shot by John Wheeler on Sept. 28, 1990 in Newark, New Jersey. It shows Newark Police Officer Mark Ausby (left) striking JoAnne Turner, who was arrested on a cocaine possession charge. Ausby was charged with official misconduct and assault in connection with the arrest. Turner later suffered a miscarriage that she blamed on her arrest and 19-day incarceration. Ausby was acquitted in 1991. He was killed in an off-duty car accident in 2006.

Former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman is shown in this 1996 file photo frisking suspect Sherron Rolax during a ride-along with police in Camden, N.J.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli saw how crack devastated the impoverished city in the late 1980s and '90s.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli (shown in Newark) saw how crack devastated the impoverished city in the late 1980s and '90s.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli (shown in Newark) saw how crack devastated the impoverished city in the late 1980s and '90s.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli (shown in Newark) saw how crack devastated the impoverished city in the late 1980s and '90s.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli (shown in Newark) saw how crack devastated the impoverished city in the late 1980s and '90s.

Former Newark Police Captain Barry Colicelli, who served at the height of the crack epidemic, talks about his career in Newark, NJ Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

George Corbin as a young police officer in Asbury Park. Corbin left a civilian defense job to join the force in 1987, just as crack arrived in the city, because he wanted to help his struggling hometown.

Dannis Billups shown outside the Aspen Stratford Apartments, the building in Newark, New Jersey where he started dealing drugs as a teenager in the 1980s.

Dannis Billups, Asbury Park, is shown during an interview at the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, Thursday, August 3, 2017. He struggled with a crack addiction during the 80s and 90s.

Dannis Billups, Asbury Park, is shown during an interview at the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, Thursday, August 3, 2017. He struggled with a crack addiction during the 80s and 90s.

George Corbin, a retired Asbury Park police officer, used to arrest crack users on the city's west side. Now he helps ex-drug offenders get their criminal records expunged.

Photo of Laconia Smedley, 83, a former president of the Graham Court tenants association, poses for a photo at the courtyard of Graham Court Apartments in Harlem on 10/23/19. The historic apartment building was the setting for the 1991 film "New Jack City."

Photo of the entrance arch (facing outward) of Graham Court Apartments in Harlem on 10/23/19. The historic apartment building was the setting for the 1991 film "New Jack City."

Photo of the courtyard of Graham Court Apartments in Harlem on 10/23/19. The historic apartment building was the setting for the 1991 film "New Jack City."

Photo of the entrance arch (facing outward) of Graham Court Apartments in Harlem on 10/23/19. The historic apartment building was the setting for the 1991 film "New Jack City."

Exterior photo of Graham Court Apartments in Harlem on 10/23/19. The historic apartment building was the setting for the 1991 film "New Jack City."

Michelle Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

Michelle Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

Michelle Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

Michelle Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

Michelle Goodwyn's kitchen. Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

Michelle Goodwyn's hallway. Goodwyn, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, lost custody of her five children due to her crack addiction in the 1990s. She has been in recovery for the past five years but says she can't find a job because of her criminal record.

A sea of purple flags along the front lawn of Our Lady Star of the Sea represents the lives lost to opioid overdose in the state of New Jersey. Manasquan, NJ Friday, August 31, 2018

People stop to look over the sea of purple flags, each one representing a life lost to an opioid overdose in the past year, on display at Our Lady Star of the Sea Beach Chapel in Manasquan Thursday, August 29, 2019.

Names are written on some of the purple flags, each one representing a life lost to an opioid overdose in the past year, on display at Our Lady Star of the Sea Beach Chapel in Manasquan Thursday, August 29, 2019.

A sea of purple flags, each one representing a life lost to an opioid overdose in the past year, are on display at Our Lady Star of the Sea Beach Chapel in Manasquan Thursday, August 29, 2019.

A sea of purple flags along the front lawn of Our Lady Star of the Sea represents the lives lost to opioid overdose in the state of New Jersey. Manasquan, NJ Friday, August 31, 2018

A sea of purple flags along the front lawn of Our Lady Star of the Sea represents the lives lost to opioid overdose in the state of New Jersey. Manasquan, NJ Friday, August 31, 2018

Richie Lapinski is a recovering drug addict that has battled addiction for many years. He now helps others who suffer from addiction. Highlands, NJ Thursday, March 14, 2019

Richie Lapinski spent her early years in Bayonne, New Jersey. After his family moved to the Jersey Shore, he and his siblings got caught up in the the opioid epidemic.

Richie Lapinski was an All-State high school football player in Manasquan, New Jersey, but a knee injury at the end of his senior year threw his personal life into turmoil.

Richie Lapinski (left, in 2001) Richie was an All-State football player at Manasaquan High School in New Jersey, but a knee injury at the end of his senior year threw his personal life into turmoil.

Richie Lapinski was an All-State football player at Manasaquan High School in New Jersey, but a knee injury at the end of his senior year threw his personal life into turmoil.

Richie Lapinski (#38, in 1999) was an All-State football player at Manasaquan High School in New Jersey, but a knee injury at the end of his senior year threw his personal life into turmoil.

A young Richie Lapinski (left) with his brother and sister in a family photo. All three siblings would battle opioid addiction in the years to come, and are now in recovery.

Richie Lapinski's father, Richie Lapinski Sr., a retired Jersey City, New Jersey firefighter, talks about how the opioid epidemic nearly destroyed his family. All three of his children battled opioid addiction and are now in recovery, he said.

Richie Lapinski (left) and his brother and sister in a family photo taken at the Jersey Shore. All three siblings would battle opioid addictions in the years to come, and are now in recovery.

Linda Jones (left) is shown with Katie Monte at the Boston Way development Thursday, October 24, 2019, in Asbury Park. Jones is currently homeless and her application for a place to live here was denied.

An old conviction for drug possession prevents Linda Jones from moving into a Boston Way unit in Asbury Park, leaving her homeless.

Eric Sterling was legal counsel to the House Subcommittee on Crime in 1986 that helped craft the federal law that singled out crack offenders for the most severe sentences.

Eric Sterling (left), then legal counsel for the House Subcommittee on Crime, confers with its chairman, Rep. William J. Hughes (D-N.J.)

Eric Sterling was legal counsel to the House Subcommittee on Crime in 1986 that helped craft the federal law that singled out crack offenders for the most severe sentences.

Rock icon and political activist Tom Morello, who is known for his seminal work with Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and the Nightwatchman, is an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform.

Rock icon and political activist Tom Morello, who is known for his seminal work with Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and the Nightwatchman, is an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform.

Dannis Billups, left, talks with Richie Lapinski at Brookdale Community College in Middletown, New Jersey in 2019. Both men have attended the school. Born a generation apart, Bllups and Lapinski fell victim to the drug epidemics of their day, and are now helping others struggling with addiction.

Dannis Billups, right, with Richie Lapinski at Brookdale Community College in Middletown, New Jersey in 2019. Both men have attended the school. Born a generation apart, Bllups and Lapinski fell victim to the drug epidemics of their day, and are now helping others struggling with addiction.

Richie Lapinski, (Left) 36, formerly of Manasquan, was an All-State football player who later became an opioid. Dannis Billups (right), 53, now of Asbury Park, started dealing drugs at age 14. The later became addicted to crack cocaine

Dannis Billups, right, with Richie Lapinski at Brookdale Community College in Middletown, New Jersey in 2019. Both men have attended the school. Born a generation apart, Bllups and Lapinski fell victim to the drug epidemics of their day, and are now helping others struggling with addiction.

Mario Van Peebles (shown in 2018 photo) said residents in the crack-infested Harlem neighborhood where he filmed his 1991 film "New Jack City" hated to see his film crew leave because they felt safe while it was around.

Mario Van Peebles (shown in 2019 photo) said residents in the crack-infested Harlem neighborhood where he filmed his 1991 film "New Jack City" hated to see his film crew leave because they felt safe while it was around.

Darryl Strawberry of the Mets was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1983.

Darryl Strawberry autographs a jersey for Poughkeepsie High School student James Bradshaw.

Darryl Strawberry gives a talk about the problems -- especially drugs -- facing young kids today, at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

Darryl Strawberry gives a talk about the problems that young kids face today especially drugs, photographed at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

Darryl Strawberry signs his autograph on his book titled "Don't Give Up on Me" as Steve Byoun of Fort Lee and his son Elijah (age 13) look on prior to his talk at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

Darryl Strawberry gives a talk about the problems that young kids face today especially drugs, photographed at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

Darryl Strawberry gives a talk about the problems that young kids face today especially drugs, photographed at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

Darryl Strawberry gives a talk about the problems that young kids face today especially drugs, photographed at Fort Lee High School Auditorium in Fort Lee on 10/15/18.

On Monday, Nov. 13, the Clinton Book Shop will host Darryl Strawberry for a discussion and book signing.

College basketball star 4' 6" Tiffara Steward get a high-five from former Major League Baseball right fielder Darryl Strawberry during the Rockaway Township Substance Abuse Alliance's annual Celebrity Day at Copeland Middle School. June 7, 2016, Rockaway, NJ

Former Major League Baseball All-Star Darryl Strawberry was the keynote speaker at a benefit dinner sponsored by JACOA, Thursday evening at Northside United Methodist Church.

Darryl Strawberry, left, and Dwight Gooden, shown at a Queens diner, are the subject of an ESPN documentary detailing the highs and lows of the former Mets superstars and coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the 1986 Mets’ championship season.

Former Major League Baseball All-Star Darryl Strawberry was the keynote speaker at a benefit dinner sponsored by JACOA, Thursday evening at Northside United Methodist Church.

Two of the New York Mets young stars, Mookie Wilson, left, and Darryl Strawberry, right, await their turns in the batting cage, during spring training at the Mets camp, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1984, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry gives a hug to friend Les Weller, President and co-founder of the Rockaway Township Substance Abuse Alliance after speaking about drug abuse to students at the annual Celebrity Day at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway, NJ, in 2016. His promising career was derailed by drug addiction, domestic violence, tax woes and a bout with a cancer. (Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry speaks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2016. His promising career was derailed by drug addiction, domestic violence, tax woes and a bout with a cancer.(Emily Spartz Weeheim/Argus Leader)

Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry speaks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2016. His promising career was derailed by drug addiction, domestic violence, tax woes and a bout with a cancer.(Emily Spartz Weeheim/Argus Leader)

Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry speaks in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2016. His promising career was derailed by drug addiction, domestic violence, tax woes and a bout with a cancer.(Emily Spartz Weeheim/Argus Leader)