3. Len Bias and the Crack Panic Death at the Wing
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- Basketball
A cocaine overdose claims the life of collegiate superstar and ‘can’t miss prospect’ Len Bias before he ever plays in the NBA for the Boston Celtics. This causes a moral and political panic. Weeks after his death, the Reagan administration, with overwhelming Democratic support, passes the "Len Bias Law," installing mandatory minimum sentences and a system that prioritizes incarceration over rehabilitation. As one writer put it, Len Bias became the “Archduke Ferdinand of the total War on Drugs.”
Want the full story? Unlock all episodes of Death at the Wing, ad-free, right now by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first of every month — that’s all episodes, all at once, all ad-free.
Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Death at the Wing show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen.
A Hyperobject Industries & Sony Music Entertainment production.
Want to get in touch? Email us datw@hyperobjectindustries.com
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts.
A cocaine overdose claims the life of collegiate superstar and ‘can’t miss prospect’ Len Bias before he ever plays in the NBA for the Boston Celtics. This causes a moral and political panic. Weeks after his death, the Reagan administration, with overwhelming Democratic support, passes the "Len Bias Law," installing mandatory minimum sentences and a system that prioritizes incarceration over rehabilitation. As one writer put it, Len Bias became the “Archduke Ferdinand of the total War on Drugs.”
Want the full story? Unlock all episodes of Death at the Wing, ad-free, right now by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first of every month — that’s all episodes, all at once, all ad-free.
Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Death at the Wing show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen.
A Hyperobject Industries & Sony Music Entertainment production.
Want to get in touch? Email us datw@hyperobjectindustries.com
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts.