Dynamics of Retail Methamphetamine Markets in New York City

Funding Source: National Institute of Justice
Funding Period: 2007-2010
Principal Investigator: Travis Wendel, J.D.

New York City methamphetamine markets have received little attention until recently, when concern about growing levels of methamphetamine use and associated HIV risk behaviors in the MSM community began to demand greater concern. Federal law enforcement confirms that methamphetamine markets exist in New York City and are expanding outside the MSM community. To better understand these developments, the proposed research will: 1) pilot an enhanced version of Respondent-Driven Sampling to recruit 200 New York City methamphetamine users and distributors; 2) document, describe and analyze the demographics and drug abuse behaviors of the sample; 3) document, describe and analyze the social networks of users, buyers and sellers of methamphetamine; and 4) document, describe and analyze the market behaviors of users, buyers and sellers of methamphetamine. The proposed research combines several innovative approaches to data collection and analysis and will use social network analysis to deepen our understanding of distribution and consumption as social phenomena; this approach is particularly useful in examining a diffuse, network-based "peer-to-peer" market, such as methamphetamine markets in New York City. To better understand how social networks among methamphetamine users and distributors are structured and how they function, the project will collect data from respondents to understand the complexity of network linkages. To maximize the opportunity to collect data, the project will also employ innovative simultaneous qualitative/quantitative interviewing techniques, utilizing a digitally recorded structured computer-assisted interview. Novel data-management and analysis tools utilizing artificial intelligence, semantically-based search and automated indexing/cross-referencing technologies will facilitate the simultaneous analysis of the wealth of both qualitative and quantitative data that the project will generate and produce findings that expand our knowledge of the dynamics of methamphetamine markets and consumption. The proposed research will provide important and timely information for policymakers and practitioners dealing with problems caused by both methamphetamine use and methamphetamine distribution.