Scoring smack: the illicit heroin market in London, 1980-1983

Classifying the Variety of Drug Trafficking Organizations

A standard typology of drug trafficking organizations would assist in interpreting the results of studies made of these organizations. Several such typologies have been proposed, and this study examines a widely cited typology that was developed in the 1990s using New York City court data. The typology has two dimensions, organizational tasks and structure. It satisfactorily encompassed the trafficking organizations identified in two new samples: 39 organizations prosecuted in New York City in 1997-2007 and 50 organizations prosecuted during the same period by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The findings supported the generalizability of the typology. They also suggest that drug trafficking organizations adopt a structure congruent with their external environment, including the market for drugs, the type of drugs, ethnicity of those involved in distribution, use of technology in communication and distribution, and levels of law enforcement. Implications of fuller knowledge about the structure and functioning of drug trafficking organizations for research and policy are discussed.

Heroin in the United Kingdom: different forms, different origins, and the relationship to different routes of administration

Heroin exists in the United Kingdom in several different forms, which vary not only in their country of origin and purity, but also in their suitability for use by either injecting or by 'chasing the dragon'. The availability of these different forms of heroin has varied considerably over time. A review of the characteristics and availability of these various forms of heroin in recent years is presented, accompanied by consideration of their probable intended use by injection or by 'chasing the dragon'. Samples of black market heroin in the salt form are usually used by injection, whereas the base form is usually taken by 'chasing the dragon'. The heroin yield to the drug user from samples of heroin taken by 'chasing the dragon' varies according to its base or salt format and according to the presence of other drugs in the sample. Heroin samples from different countries of production mostly conform to either base or salt form. Novel approaches at the macro level to prevention and control of heroin-related problems through influence upon this complex heroin market-place should now be considered.

Varieties of Drug Trafficking Organizations: A Typology of Cases Prosecuted in New York City

This paper examines a sample of 39 drug trafficking organizations prosecuted in New York City federal courts. Using a new two-dimensional typology based on organizational structure and tasks/roles, a considerable variety of organizational types was found. This result has important implications for future research. In particular it suggests the need for caution in generalizing from the findings of single case studies. These studies need to be located in the broader framework provided by the typology. The typology also permits the systematic sampling of trafficking organizations for detailed study. This is particularly important for policy since interventions must be closely tailored to the nature of criminal enterprises.

Opiates: prevalence and demographic factors

This paper focuses on the prevalence and profile of opiate use, primarily heroin, in the United States and Europe. Methods include representative population surveys, which understate prevalence, and targeted approaches, which reflect more problematic use. In the United States and Europe, the lifetime prevalence of opiate use reported in surveys remained stable over the 1980s (around 1%), though young adults report higher rates. Estimates for the early 1990s suggest that the prevalence of problematic heroin use in the United States was double the average for western Europe. However, in a few European countries prevalence is now approaching that of the United States. Rates in major cities are considerably higher, especially in the north-east and south-west of the United States. Higher prevalence is often, although not always, associated with socio-economic deprivation. An important trend away from injecting is observed, notably in some European countries. Heroin availability and use, as well as serious heroin-related consequences, are increasing again in many European countries after an apparent pause in the mid-1980s. They are also increasing in parts of the United States. Heroin remains a public health priority, especially among vulnerable populations, including young people in central and eastern Europe.

Drug abuse in western Denmark during the eighties. I. Drugs of abuse

A description is given of the availability and quality of drugs seized in the Danish illicit drug market during the eighties. Cannabis was the most prevalent illegal drug throughout the decade. Seizures of heroin predominated among the 'hard' illegal drugs until 1987 but during the late eighties a significant increase in amphetamine seizures was observed. Most of the cocaine was seized in transit, apparently not meant for the Danish market. Medical drugs, particularly benzodiazepines and the synthetic opiates methadone and ketobemidone, comprised an increasing part of the illegal drug market during the period. No seizures of designer drugs were seen. The street level purities of both heroin and amphetamine were, on average, 30-40%.

Economic aspects of illicit drug markets and drug enforcement policies

This paper reviews the economics literature on illicit drug markets and drug enforcement policies. The first part of the paper examines the problems involved in establishing the parameters of the illicit market. The second part of the paper examines the contribution economics can make to the evaluation of drug enforcement policies: the discussion covers the determination of both the appropriate level of enforcement expenditure and the appropriate mix of policy measures.

Unemployment and illegal drug use: concordant evidence from a prospective study and national trends

Data from a previous study of 1036 young people in the Lothian region that indicated an association between unemployment and illegal drug use were examined in more depth to investigate the inter-relation between duration of unemployment and the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. After factors such as social class background and educational qualifications had been taken into account a weak but significant association was found between duration of unemployment and illegal drug use. No such association was found for alcohol or tobacco. Similar results were obtained from an analysis of national statistics related to unemployment and illegal drug use. Both sets of data thus indicate that illegal drug use is moderately associated with unemployment.