6. “Who Can You Trust?” | What If? The Len Bias Story

By the summer of 1986, America’s relationship with drugs was already at the brink of combustion. And in the highly publicized death of Len Bias, policymakers found a spark to light the flame. The draconian legislation introduced on Capitol Hill thereafter, especially the ratification of mandatory minimum sentences, disproportionately targeted Black citizens — one of whom, ironically, was Len’s childhood friend.
Host: Jordan Ritter Conn
Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner
Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely
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By the summer of 1986, America’s relationship with drugs was already at the brink of combustion. And in the highly publicized death of Len Bias, policymakers found a spark to light the flame. The draconian legislation introduced on Capitol Hill thereafter, especially the ratification of mandatory minimum sentences, disproportionately targeted Black citizens — one of whom, ironically, was Len’s childhood friend.

Host: Jordan Ritter Conn

Producers: Hannah Beal, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, and Bobby Wagner

Production Assistant: Isaiah Blakely

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices