NCJ Number
163945
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1996) Pages: 175-198
Date Published
1996
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the importance of specific resources during childhood that influence both the nature and extent of participation in crack use and sales; it highlights the availability of family resources as a critical element in determining the extent to which drug abusers can develop their human resources so they can maintain a "normal" identity and a "stake in conventional life" even while engaged in a deviant career.
Abstract
Although females are becoming more evident in crack- distribution roles, they remain a minority among crack sellers and usually perform the lowest roles. This case study of Rachel represents a truly hidden population, a minority female who has been a successful crack seller for several years. The authors provide insight about persons that rarely come to attention when studying drug distribution and participation. Such persons acquire skills and resources during their lives that enable them to function in two diverse worlds. Such crack sellers are "truly hidden" because they do not have criminal records, almost never come to the attention of police, and function adequately in conventional roles. By analyzing a detailed case study of a female drug seller, this paper delineates some of the human resources and skills that may account for her differential outcome in a career of drug use and sales in inner-city settings. 2 notes and 89 references