The Economics of Drugs in Marginalized Inner-City Neighborhoods - Essay Sample

According to Philippe Bourgois, why is the illegal drug trade so often concentrated in marginalized inner-city neighborhoods?

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The problem of illegal drugs is prevalent in the USA and especially in the marginalized inner-city neighborhoods. According to Bourgois (2002), drugs have a huge economic impact on underground economies. It is the only chance where African Americans men get equal opportunity for employment opportunities. Drug dealing in inner-city neighborhoods offer youths especially males a chance with the actual probability of moving upwards in the social class. There are so many problems that exist in these neighborhoods such as violence, racial and class segregation, social marginalization, apartheid laws vulnerability and other issues. Illegal drugs are part of street culture, and since the 1980s it has been considered to be fashionable and appealing. It is also a way of searching for dignity and refusing to accept marginalization that children who grow in inner-city experience.

Extending your thoughts from the above question, how do you think the availability of drugs impacts urban poor?

The availability of drugs has negative impacts on the urban poor. The police are always hunting for suspected people selling the drugs which result in deaths and imprisonment for those who are caught. Further, youths also abuse these drugs which negatively affect their studies, career and their lives since they become addicts and also engage in criminal activities. Illegal drugs are detrimental to the health of consumers. Addiction increases the levels of homelessness, family breakdown, health problems, and morbidity and encourages the poverty cycle.

What are some examples of this in the Bay Area (or your local area)?

The existence of illegal drugs in my local area Bay Area, California has caused a lot of problems such as the rise of violence and health issues. Police killings have also risen since youths suspected of engaging in the activities are shot and killed. Further, recreational marijuana is legal in California, and this increases the probability of young, poor and jobless African Americans to try and access them to sell for them. Youths use the opportunity to pass the time and continue with the drug trade as a source of income.

How can we begin to address these issues?

This problem can be addressed by providing equal employment opportunities to all American citizens regardless of their race to ensure that youths engaging in drugs business get meaningful employment and therefore avoid involvement in illegal drugs. Policies need to be formed to ensure that these vulnerable populations are protected against various institutions such as the police which continue to maintain structural inequality, oppression, and social and class segregation. There is a necessity to focus on where the drugs hit the market to prevent them from reaching the vulnerable populations.

References

Bourgois, P. (2002). Understanding inner-city poverty: Resistance and self-destruction under US apartheid. Exotic no more: Anthropology on the front lines, 3, 15