The distribution of illegal drugs - Structures of dealing in networks of non-conspicuous consumers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Henner Hess
• Subject Area: Criminology
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 178465434

The research project for which we ask for a prolongation is concerned with the distribution of illegal drugs in networks of non-conspicuous consumers, i. e. not on the open junkie scenes. We had originally applied for 33 months of support. Granted was a support of 24 months with the possibility of prolongation, if the results after two years would show the promise of further interesting findings. We are now convinced that this is the case. We were able to collect more quantitative material and interview many more people than originally planned. Above all, the time-consuming evaluation of the qualitative material would enable us to answer some relevant questions in greater depth.The problems we plan to tackle in the 9 months of prolongation we ask for are the following:- There are different levels of drug distribution: the (international and national) trafficking of great quantities, the middle range level and, finally, the distribution on lower levels including the so-called social supply. How are these levels connected?- What are the roads that lead into dealing careers?- Why and how are some people dropping out of distribution?- Why do some people who would have the chance to advance to higher levels, explicitly avoid this? Fear of higher penalties? Fear of too close a contact with the more dangerous world of higher levels?- With some more time we would be able to include results from further research that we currently conduct for the City of Frankfurt, especially with so-called trend scouts and 2000 students of city schools, as well as research on the new so-called legal highs. We finally want to stress the possibilty that our results might also be quite interesting for social control and social work interventions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants