Street Studies That Work and What They Show in New York City

Abstract

The New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services (DSAS) maintains a street research unit that monitors drug activity on the streets of New York City. The Street Research Unit consists of a supervisor and several carefully selected researchers who have had a history of drug abuse. The team includes males and females, and whites, blacks and Hispanics. Their supervisor has trained them in social science methods and ethnographic techniques. The researchers' own knowledge of street language and drug behavior has enabled them to capture information that would escape most observers and even some participants. Despite the risks involved, the Street Research Unit has become a vital and indispensable part of the research capability of the agency. There is no better way to gather current information on drug activity on the streets of New York City. The paper traces the history of the Unit, discusses some methods that are used, describes the studies that have been conducted, and summarizes what works, what does not work in this type of ethnography, and the plans for the future.