Rethinking the "Drug Dealer"
Resource
Rethinking the "Drug Dealer": Drug Seller Stories
When people hear the term “drug dealer,” it often conjures a certain stereotype: a Black or Latino “kingpin” pushing his drugs on innocent white people. While popular, this picture is not based on facts.
- Research on this subject has been limited, but it has consistently shown that white people are more likely than people of color to report having sold drugs.
- Still, in a country where 60% of people are white, 76% of federal prisoners convicted under trafficking laws are Black or Latino.
- In 2009 only 14% of people in federal prison for drug selling were categorized as importers, high level suppliers, organizers or leaders. Yet the government punishes all conduct, big and small, with severe sentences.
Further, we often talk about people who sell drugs and people who use drugs as two distinct groups. In fact, they often overlap. Many people who sell drugs are involved in drug selling to support their own drug use.
- A survey of state prisons found that seven in ten people serving time for drug trafficking were also using drugs around the time of their offense.
- In a national survey, more than two in five people who reported having sold drugs also said they meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
It’s time to rethink the “drug dealer.” We need to have honest conversations about people involved in drug selling and distribution, and the harsh criminal penalties they face for even very minor roles in sales.
Learn More about Drug Sellers
In these animated videos, you’ll learn about the racist origins of drug seller stereotypes, the myth of the drug kingpin, and who this broken system hurts the most.
Watch Their Stories
Why do people get involved in drug selling? Are all people convicted of drug selling actually selling drugs? What happens when they are criminalized? Watch their stories to understand how drug selling convictions have impacted their lives.
Additional Resources
- Rethinking the "Drug Dealer" (DPA report)
- Aron's Story
- Caswick's Story
- Corvain's Story
- Louise's Story
- Miguel's Story
- Kenneth's Story
Funding
DPA would like to thank the Vital Projects Fund for funding the production of these videos and related reports and research.
Criminal Justice Reform
Video
When people hear the term “drug dealer,” it often conjures a certain stereotype: a Black or Latino “kingpin” pushing his drugs on innocent white people. While popular, this picture is not based on facts.
- Research on this subject has been limited, but it has consistently shown that white people are more likely than people of color to report having sold drugs.
- Still, in a country where 60% of people are white, 76% of federal prisoners convicted under trafficking laws are Black or Latino.
- In 2009 only 14% of people in federal prison for drug selling were categorized as importers, high level suppliers, organizers or leaders. Yet the government punishes all conduct, big and small, with severe sentences.
Further, we often talk about people who sell drugs and people who use drugs as two distinct groups. In fact, they often overlap. Many people who sell drugs are involved in drug selling to support their own drug use.
- A survey of state prisons found that seven in ten people serving time for drug trafficking were also using drugs around the time of their offense.
- In a national survey, more than two in five people who reported having sold drugs also said they meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.
It’s time to rethink the “drug dealer.” We need to have honest conversations about people involved in drug selling and distribution, and the harsh criminal penalties they face for even very minor roles in sales.
Learn More about Drug Sellers
In these animated videos, you’ll learn about the racist origins of drug seller stereotypes, the myth of the drug kingpin, and who this broken system hurts the most.
Watch Their Stories
Why do people get involved in drug selling? Are all people convicted of drug selling actually selling drugs? What happens when they are criminalized? Watch their stories to understand how drug selling convictions have impacted their lives.
Additional Resources
- Rethinking the "Drug Dealer" (DPA report)
- Aron's Story
- Caswick's Story
- Corvain's Story
- Louise's Story
- Miguel's Story
- Kenneth's Story
Funding
DPA would like to thank the Vital Projects Fund for funding the production of these videos and related reports and research.
Criminal Justice Reform
Video