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Essay on Why Do People Become Drug Dealers

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There have been many studies that have been conducted to determine why people become drug dealers, and what makes these drug dealers “tick.” There are four main articles that will be discussed to help answer the question of why people become drug dealers. These articles include “The Motives and Mechanics of Operating an Illegal Drug Enterprise”, “Researching Dealers and Smugglers”, “Researching Crack Dealers”, and lastly, “Drifting into Dealing: Becoming a Cocaine Seller”. In addition to the presentation of these articles and their main arguments and points, answers to the question that were conducted using traditional criminological theories will be compared and contrasted to view the similarities and differences that these articles have …show more content…

The first theory is Rational Choice Theory. This theory states that an individual thinks through each action, deciding on whether or not it would be the risk of committing a crime to acquire potential benefits. These goals may be financial, pleasure, or another type of beneficial result that would further their choice in committing a crime, in this case, a drug crime. Rational Choice Theory relates to an individual as well as the location in which they live in. If an individual lives in a highly populated, low income, area, the opportunities for that individual to make a decent living may be limited. If their opportunities are limited, it is more likely for them to become involved in the dealing of drugs to make a living. If an individual weighs the cost and the benefits of becoming involved in selling illegal drugs, it is very possible for that individual to realize that selling drugs is the better, easier, option for them. Bucerius (2007) states that young males are more likely to become involved in the selling of drugs that are part of a low income neighborhood. Many of these drug transactions take place on the open streets in public because it is more common in these lower class areas than not. This idea of a widespread drug industry on the open streets has a large impact on others who are becoming involved in selling drugs. This perception will affect a person’s choice of whether or not to

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