COCAINE POWDER REMAINS NO.2 DRUG

The "Yuppie Handbook" may be out of print, but the urban professionals who
earned the now-contemptible moniker live on.

And they're still snorting cocaine.

The startling crack epidemic of the '90s may have stolen the limelight from
the cocoa plant-based recreational habits of young upwardly mobile
professionals, but it didn't steal its thunder. While everyone was busy
watching poor junkies smoking rock, well-heeled professionals continued
dipping into the nose candy.

"Nothing's changed. Everybody is still using it, but there are younger
people using it as well," said Lawrence P. McElynn, special agent in charge
of Philadelphia's Drug Enforcement Administration.

McElynn said upscale cocaine snorting has gone further underground than it
was during the 1980s. But it's not quite what you'd call discreet,
according to Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham.

Buyers from an alleged "yuppie drug ring" purchased cocaine and Ecstasy
right outside of trendy restaurants in Manayunk and Fairmount, Abraham said
late last week. These middle-class buyers allegedly would beep a dealer,
then wait for valet-style delivery.

Drugs worth about $700,000, and $500,000 in cash were seized during arrests
of three alleged yuppie dealers last week, Abraham said.

The alleged dealers and their customers fit the yuppie profile, law
enforcement officers said.

"They were selling to socio-economic status that was equal or above their
own," said George Mosee, Philadelphia deputy district attorney for the
narcotics division.

Many from old-guard yuppieville -- those who are 20 years and a few sport
utility vehicles past prime partying days -- still are using powdered
cocaine, McElynn said. So are younger professionals, McElynn and Mosee said.

Powdered cocaine is the second most abused drug in the area. Marijuana is
first.

There are about 2 million powder addicts in the United States. About 10
million people use the drug on a regular basis, McElynn said.

By comparison, he said, there are about 1 million heroin users in the
country and about 500,000 people addicted to crack.

The powder users just aren't pouring a mound onto the glass cocktail table
during a Saturday night soiree.

"People just don't operate like that," said McElynn. "It's not out front
anymore, not that conspicuous consumption."

Send e-mail to conroyt@phillynews.com.