Scoring Smack: The Illicit Heroin Market in London, 1980–1983

Abstract

Summary An illicit heroin market has existed in London since the 1960s. From 1970 illicit supplies from Southeast Asia and subsequently Southwest Asia increased. Two hundred and twenty‐four reports on ‘retail’ and ‘wholesale’ illicit heroin prices were collected between 1980and 1983. Over that period the average retail price reported was £7 8 per gram, almost twice the average wholesale price of £41.00. Between October 1980 and June 1983, retail and wholesale prices fell by 20–25 per cent relative to inflation. Reports from heroin users and other indicators over this period suggest that heroin availability increased and that dilution (‘cutting’) was much less significant than in the United States. The distribution system and the effect of price fluctuation on consumption are discussed. It is argued that retail and wholesale heroin prices provide a useful indicator of market conditions. The evidence points to a flourishing and expanding market in illicit heroin.

The Cutting of Heroin in the United States in the 1990s

“…Regarding heroin, it was noted that when "street" seizures were compared with Customs seizures, there was often less difference in purity levels between the two than might be expected'. This relative lack of disparity has also been noted in Lewis et al (1995) (also U.K.), Kaa (1994) in Denmark over a 12-year period, and, more recently, by De la Fuente et. al.…”

Zwischen Rausch und Realität

“…family, schoo\)" (SAMPSONILAUB 1997,142 BROOK et. MOORE 1977;BERNARD 1983;LEWIS et. 1989;SWADl 1988).…”

Heroin in the United Kingdom: different forms, different origins, and the relationship to different routes of administration

“…This network of laboratories involved refinement of the bulkier opium and morphine concentrates which were brought to France from Turkey and South East Asia for Marseilles conversion into a high-purity white heroin hydrochloride [10,11]. Since the mid-1970s, heroin has been produced in laboratories near to the harvest areas and has hence been shipped most usually in the form of (less bulky) heroin [12,13]. Since the mid-1970s, heroin has been produced in laboratories near to the harvest areas and has hence been shipped most usually in the form of (less bulky) heroin [12,13].…”

“…'Hong Kong rocks') [14] which, in the late 1960s and earl), 1970s, were typically purchased from dealers in the Chinese community in or around Gerrard Street in Soho, London [13,15]. 'Hong Kong rocks') [14] which, in the late 1960s and earl), 1970s, were typically purchased from dealers in the Chinese community in or around Gerrard Street in Soho, London [13,15].…”