News (Media Awareness Project) - UK: Every Tom, Dick and Harry's On It |
| Title: | UK: Every Tom, Dick and Harry's On It |
| Published On: | 1999-05-11 |
| Source: | Independent, The (UK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 06:48:03 |
'EVERY TOM, DICK AND HARRY'S ON IT'
Carl, 25, a heroin dealer, tells 'The Independent' his story.
"When I started taking heroin six years ago, I'd never dreamt of selling it.
By February last year, I was off the heroin and saw there was a long-term
market for drugs. I used to sell ecstasy when I was younger but heroin has a
wider market and can make much more money.
"Now it's out in the open, every Tom, Dick and Harry's on it, it's not seen
as such a bad drug. It's becoming more like cocaine, more sociable. The bad
side is the younger generation get involved, 12 or 13-year-olds think it's
in fashion.
"There are two types of users: junkies, and recreational users. I don't see
the recreational users every day. One guy owns his own company, he comes
round in a suit and new car. He spends about UKP60 every three days. Others
come after work, buy UKP30 worth and save a bit for the morning. They call
it 'B' or 'Brown'. They'll phone and say 'Have you got two Bs?'
"In the olden days more people used to inject it, but now you can just smoke
it and chill out. Everyone smokes cigarettes and smoking drugs is not such a
big deal. This is probably what's made it more attractive.
"Some of the junkies are beggars and turn up with a handful of coins. They
might come three or four times a day and spend UKP15 each time. 'Hard
knocks' - the proper junkies - spend UKP30 three times a day.
"It will come to me in rocks and I break it down into powder. I sell it in
small bits which means people can easily afford it. They can just keep
coming back for little bits at a time.
"I see myself as a public service: if people want alcohol they go to an
off-licence, if they want heroin they come to me. My only motivation is
money. I can turn over UKP1,500 a day - about UKP800 profit. It's got to the
point where I've had to employ someone as a runner.
"The market is dominated by the person selling the best stuff. If someone
overdoses on heroin, other users will want to buy from the dealer because
they know his gear is strong. It's a bit sick really."
Carl, 25, a heroin dealer, tells 'The Independent' his story.
"When I started taking heroin six years ago, I'd never dreamt of selling it.
By February last year, I was off the heroin and saw there was a long-term
market for drugs. I used to sell ecstasy when I was younger but heroin has a
wider market and can make much more money.
"Now it's out in the open, every Tom, Dick and Harry's on it, it's not seen
as such a bad drug. It's becoming more like cocaine, more sociable. The bad
side is the younger generation get involved, 12 or 13-year-olds think it's
in fashion.
"There are two types of users: junkies, and recreational users. I don't see
the recreational users every day. One guy owns his own company, he comes
round in a suit and new car. He spends about UKP60 every three days. Others
come after work, buy UKP30 worth and save a bit for the morning. They call
it 'B' or 'Brown'. They'll phone and say 'Have you got two Bs?'
"In the olden days more people used to inject it, but now you can just smoke
it and chill out. Everyone smokes cigarettes and smoking drugs is not such a
big deal. This is probably what's made it more attractive.
"Some of the junkies are beggars and turn up with a handful of coins. They
might come three or four times a day and spend UKP15 each time. 'Hard
knocks' - the proper junkies - spend UKP30 three times a day.
"It will come to me in rocks and I break it down into powder. I sell it in
small bits which means people can easily afford it. They can just keep
coming back for little bits at a time.
"I see myself as a public service: if people want alcohol they go to an
off-licence, if they want heroin they come to me. My only motivation is
money. I can turn over UKP1,500 a day - about UKP800 profit. It's got to the
point where I've had to employ someone as a runner.
"The market is dominated by the person selling the best stuff. If someone
overdoses on heroin, other users will want to buy from the dealer because
they know his gear is strong. It's a bit sick really."
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