Crack first began to be used on a large scale in Los Angeles in 1984.^[1][3] The distribution and use of the drug exploded that same year and by the end of 1986, was available in 28 states and the District of Columbia. According to the 1985–1986 National Narcotics Intelligence Consumers Committee Report, crack was available in New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York City, Houston, San Diego, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis-Saint Paul,St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, Kansas City, Miami, Newark, San Francisco, Albany, Buffalo, and Dallas.

In 1985, cocaine-related hospital emergencies rose by 12 percent, from 23,500 to 26,300. In 1986, they increased 210 percent, from 26,300 to 55,200. Between 1984 and 1987, cocaine incidents increased to 94,000. By 1987, crack was reported to be available in the District of Columbia and all but four states in the US.^[1] In addition, late 1984 saw an increase in fetal death rates and low birth-weight babies to mothers who were using crack cocaine in the Los Angeles area. The first "crack babies" were born between September and December 1984. The trend continued to increase throughout the 1980s and spread to most major American cities.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_epidemic_(United_States)

We all have had friends and family members affected by this epidemic that ravaged our community in 1986, but we were all stunned to learn of the tragedy of Lenny Bias.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-life-and-loss-of-Len-Bias-25-years-later?urn=nba-wp5439