The Cocaine Kids: The Inside Story of a Teenage Drug Ring [Hardcover]

Terry Williams (Author), Terence T. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1989

Since 1982, sociologist Terry Williams has spent days, weeks, and months “hanging out” with a teenage cocaine ring in cocaine bars, after-hours clubs, on street corners, in crack houses and in their homes. The picture he creates in The Cocaine Kids is the story behind the headlines. The lives of these young dealers in the fast lane of the underground economy emerge in depth and color on the pages of this book.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The world of teenage members of a cocaine distribution ring in New York City's Spanish Harlem is entered by sociologist Williams, coauthor of Growing Up Poor , who for almost five years observed their routines. His report, showing that young people "are the essential link between big-time im porters and small-time users," contributes to the form of research known as ethnography while offering lay readers a sobering picture of the dangerous, lucrative trade that in this study involves mostly African-American and Latino children. As he tracks the teenagers' tangled lives and shadowy enterprises, we see that others wait eagerly to take the places of those who leave the business. Williams proffers no quick solution to the drug crisis, but rather an illumination, in their own words, of damaged urban youth.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

From 1982 to 1986, sociologist Williams followed the activities of a teenage cocaine ring in New York's Spanish Harlem. He tells their story in their own street language (and conveniently provides a glossary). The "kids" tell how cocaine is adulterated, packaged, and sold; how the chain of distribution works; and even detail the etiquette of drug selling and usage. They also give the stories of their lives, and Williams follows up with what has happened to them since 1986. Williams is very nonjudgmental, which is the book's main fault; by showing the drug trade primarily as a way for teenagers to attain status and money, and soft-pedaling the violence and harm involved, he makes the activities of the "kids" seem as normal as those of any teenagers with part - time jobs. For larger crime and sociology collections.
- Sally G. Waters, Stetson Law Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020109360X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201093605
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,739,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.