NCJ Number
189522
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 465-486
Date Published
2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article examines a group of successful women drug dealers in Melbourne, Australia and maps their involvement in property crime.
Abstract
Engagement in property crime by drug users is often regarded as driven by the need to support a habit and/or as merely an aside to involvement in the drug industry. A group of successful women drug dealers, most of whom were also illicit drug users, were the basis of direct observation, informal and formal discussions, and in-depth interviews carried out over more than 4 years. These women generated money not only by the sale of drugs, but also by committing a wide variety of property offenses: crimes of fraud, forgery, theft, burglary, shoplifting, and handling of stolen goods. The majority of these women were involved in the drug scene prior to entering into frequent or serious criminal activity. The women escalated their income-producing crimes, as they became more established and successful in the drug business. It was concluded that property offenses were tightly integrated with the women’s drug businesses. Success in property offending is a characteristic of successful drug dealers. Stolen property and money play a key part in the trade, generating an effective source of income and providing friends, family, and themselves with gifts. Property crime provides excitement and other, valued, intangible satisfactions, including status and self-esteem. Many women are capable operators in the illicit market, and those who deal in drugs are likely to be competent property offenders. 2 notes and 29 references.