Job Market Review: Drug Dealers in Gangs and Drug Addiction
A little bit of online research revealed some unhappy numbers for crack dealers and hopeful crack dealers. The lure of being in a gang and selling drugs or putting in other “work” in order to move up through the ranks and gain “respect” usually ends one of two ways: prison or death. Either way, drug addiction plagues those who sell drugs as well as those close to them, including their families.
Selling Drugs: How Much Money Do They Really Make?
It turns out, first of all, that the job isn’t quite as lucrative as the movies lead you to believe. It seems that a researcher who had access to a certain gang’s records and finances found out that the average crack dealer on the corner only makes about $3.50 an hour.
Second, the occupational hazards of the job are somewhat more harsh than those of, say, anything legal: the annual death rate was marked at about 7 percent, a number which increased to 25 percent after four years. (Why the increase? Perhaps disgruntled customers or competition tend to target those who have made a name for themselves?)
Even if you made $1300 a hour instead of $3.50, you can’t spend it from the grave.
The Myth of Drug Dealing and Sales
No matter how you add it up, being a crack dealer (or a drug dealer of any kind) isn’t going to do much for your financial standing. Unfortunately, kids are seduced by glamorous depictions of rich drug lords on TV, Hollywood and in their own communities. They think that if they put in the time that they, too, will one day be driving fancy cars, wearing lots of gold and buying houses for their mother. The fact is, that very few actually profit off of selling drugs and those are very, very high up in the chain and making it there alive is practically impossible.
Drug Addiction Among Drug Sellers
Perhaps the biggest issue that faces those who start selling drugs is the development of their own drug addiction. Ready access to large amounts of drugs and large amounts of money in the midst of high emotional stress (I doubt there’s a more stressful job) is pretty much the perfect storm for the creation of drug addiction.
Another issue is getting caught. Whether it’s for the crimes they have to do to supplement their income since they’re using their own supply or whether it’s for selling drugs, they are no longer eligible for drug addiction treatment through drug court. When selling or violence is an issue over and above possession charges, no drug court will give you drug addiction treatment instead of prison.
Healing Drug Addiction and Getting Out of Selling
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, the time to stop is now. Rates of death are as high among drug addicts as they are among drug dealers, if not higher. Don’t allow yourself to become a statistic. Call Michael’s House today: 1-877-345-8494.
