NCJ Number
163130
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 65 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Five drug runners who sold crack cocaine in Honolulu's Chinatown district were observed and interviewed to obtain information on their perspectives about the crack cocaine problem.
Abstract
Field observations were made using a 22-item questionnaire and also by watching drug dealers conduct transactions on the street. In addition to observing and conversing casually with the five subjects, taped interviews were conducted. The picture of a clearly defined structure of crack cocaine trafficking in Chinatown emerged from the research. The street drug trade consisted of dealers, runners, promoters, and addicts (buyers). Dealers supplied crack cocaine to promoters and runners, promoters located or "hooked" new buyers, and runners solicited prospective buyers on street corners. The five subjects (two black males, one white male, one white female, and one Filipino female) identified themselves as runners. They claimed to be addicted and worked as runners to support their habits. Crack cocaine was popular with them because it produced a similar but more intense high than powdered cocaine. Both induced excitement, euphoria, and increased alertness. Subjects used crack cocaine to forget about life or to mask their personal problems. All subjects were quite well-versed in the politics of the drug subculture, noted economic advantages of pushing crack cocaine over other forms of cocaine, and felt State laws affected the way crack cocaine was dealt on the street. They also said it was difficult to determine the exact amount of money they made from dealing crack cocaine; they reported an average of $300 a day from crack cocaine sales but explained they also got $150 to $200 each day in free smokes. Despite earnings from drug sales, all subjects indicated they were homeless. 4 photographs and 18 endnotes