TY - JOUR

T1 - From “social supply” to “real dealing”

T2 - drift, friendship and trust in drug dealing careers

AU - Taylor, Matthew

AU - Potter, Gary

PY - 2013/10

Y1 - 2013/10

N2 - This article reports on an empirical study into a group of drug dealers supplying cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and other drugs in and around a small English city. It reveals a market that is not overly structured or hierarchically controlled, and certainly not dominated by organized crime or characterized by violence. Dealers involved had often drifted into “real” dealing from backgrounds in “social supply.” However, despite an increase of their dealing activity (and of their profits), they still maintained the “social supply” values of friendship and trust as the key elements to relationships with suppliers and customers. Escalation of drug dealing did not seem to be accompanied by any wider escalation in criminality or involvement with organized crime.

AB - This article reports on an empirical study into a group of drug dealers supplying cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and other drugs in and around a small English city. It reveals a market that is not overly structured or hierarchically controlled, and certainly not dominated by organized crime or characterized by violence. Dealers involved had often drifted into “real” dealing from backgrounds in “social supply.” However, despite an increase of their dealing activity (and of their profits), they still maintained the “social supply” values of friendship and trust as the key elements to relationships with suppliers and customers. Escalation of drug dealing did not seem to be accompanied by any wider escalation in criminality or involvement with organized crime.

KW - drug markets

KW - drug dealing

KW - social supply

KW - drift

U2 - 10.1177/0022042612474974

DO - 10.1177/0022042612474974

M3 - Journal article

VL - 43

SP - 392

EP - 406

JO - Journal of Drug Issues

JF - Journal of Drug Issues

SN - 0022-0426

IS - 4

ER -