Question

In "The Cocaine Kids" written by Terry Williams, How had the cocaine business changed over the years as per the discussion in the book? How did these changes affect the dealers?

Answer 1

Introduction-The Cocaine Kids is a famous book written by Terry Williams after long sociological research over drug trafficking, smuggling and consumptions originally published in 1989. The author provided a deep sociological perspective over drug trafficking and the inclusion of children in this business.

Description- Terry M Williams spent many years with young cocaine dealers, agents, users, and communicators. He worked in West Harlem with young black and Latino people accidentally, but his life changed the whole perspective towards cocaine trade and drug dealings.

According to his study, the drug dealing became a big earning source for African-Americans, Latinos, and Blacks, people living under the poverty line find it as an easy way to earn big money although they are aware of risk factors. The drug trafficking and dealing changed its dimension during the past few decades, dealers are using kids because it is easy to handle and hide their identity. Modern police use technology to identify traffickers and dealers but kids live beyond their range. Cocaine dealers use their emotions, needs, and poverty to ensure a big profit. They distribute small shares but it becomes big for kids. Most of the young agents see in dealing with the way to earn big money, the second reason is social isolation and lack of formal opportunities.

Drug dealers condition their behavior and make them pretend cocaine, the only way to fulfill their dreams.

In my opinion, dealers are upgrading their methods but still using soft targets to earn big money, Terry Williams helped kids and adolescents to come out form this trap. The problematic parenting, poverty, lack of education and distance for the mainstream social structure is still an obstacle for government and agencies. Preventive measures are helping these kids but still a lot of things to do.