Indeed. Some of this counter evidence was cited at the time. The problem was the "crack baby" narrative fit with several widely accepted narratives. The race narrative and the crime narrative (which often go hand in hand) and the "bad mother" narrative. And gathering evidence of complex problems is boring.
I should point out we see hysteria driven policy (or wish fulfillment policy) driven in other areas. The late'80s and early '90s saw an emphasis on AIDS education and prevention entirely out of proportion with the nature of the illness. (By this I mean things like requiring medical professionals to have mandatory annual continuing ed credits on AIDS/HIV, not inclusion of AIDS prevention as part of sex ed.) And remember the movement to give every newborn a recording of Motzart?
no subject
I should point out we see hysteria driven policy (or wish fulfillment policy) driven in other areas. The late'80s and early '90s saw an emphasis on AIDS education and prevention entirely out of proportion with the nature of the illness. (By this I mean things like requiring medical professionals to have mandatory annual continuing ed credits on AIDS/HIV, not inclusion of AIDS prevention as part of sex ed.) And remember the movement to give every newborn a recording of Motzart?