Addiction and Crack Epidemic: The cocaine surplus led to the rise of crack, a cheaper, smokable form, starting in Miami around 1981. This fueled addiction and devastated communities, particularly low-income and minority neighborhoods.
Cultural Glamorization: The trade was romanticized in media like Scarface (1983) and Miami Vice (1984–1989), which shaped Miami’s image as a flashy, hedonistic hub but obscured the real toll of addiction and violence.
Community Impact: The trade exacerbated racial and economic disparities. Low-income areas faced higher addiction rates and violence, while wealthier sectors profited. The 1980 Mariel Boatlift and Liberty City riots, though separate, intersected with the drug trade, as some Cuban exiles joined smuggling networks.