"The distribution of illicit drugs" (TDID) - general results. Quantitative findings from a study on socially inconspicuous drug users and dealers in Germany

Abstract

This chapter presents a mainly quantitative overview of the German mixed-methods research project "The Distribution of Illicit Drugs". The main objective was to explore the profit and non-profit driven distribution of illicit drugs in socially inconspicuous settings and thus in a field that makes up a much bigger proportion of the phenomenon than the much-discussed public, socially conspicuous drug scenes. In total, 214 drug users of whom the majority had also distributed drugs, were interviewed. The results indicate that dealing activities within networks of recreational drug users are, to a large extent, not profit-driven and often carried out as a favour to friends. However, even among those who had made at least some money by selling drugs, gaining profit was usually not the priority. Only a small minority of retail sales was carried out with the intention to make as much money as possible. It has to be noted, though, that a substantial part of drug distribution activities is completely free of charge - in the form of shared drugs and gift giving. This high significance of (often mutual) sharing, social supply, and minimally commercial supply appears to be driven by the particular conditions of the illegal market.