Drugs and gentrification in NYC: Findings from the Crime & Drugs in My Neighborhood Study, 2012-2015

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

This poster examines the issue of drug use and distribution in neighborhoods that are gentrified or on the verge of it. Empirical evidence suggests that drug use rates around the city have remained fairly steady over the last decade, though the use of opiate-based products has incrementally increased over that period of time, but in the last year (2015-16), a full-blown opiate-fueled overdose crisis has gripped the city. Using more than 10,000 surveys and 2,800+ in-depth interviews with New York City residents that were collected by students at the City John Jay College (JJC-CUNY) and the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC-CUNY) between 2012-2015, this poster examines the self-reported attitudes, orientations and experiences of people that live in gentrifying neighborhoods with regard to the issue of drugs, especially whether they express any knowledge about drug distribution and use in their neighborhoods, and whether they see the use and sale of drugs as problematic.

Authors

• Christina He, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Stephanie Louis, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Raymond Ruggiero, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Fabio Mattioli, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Milton Hernandez, Borough of Manhattan Community College