Investigating the connections between race, illicit drug markets, and lethal violence, 1984-1997

Author: Ousey GC / Lee MR
Publication: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency
Topics: Criminology Ethnicity Homicide U.S./National
Keywords: HOMICIDE Market Race drug
Bibliographic information +

The authors examine the relationship between trends of homicide rates in the 1980s and 1990s and the changes in illegal drug markets and law enforcement attempts to regulate these markets, using information from the University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) from 1984 to 1997. Drug market changes are associated with homicide rates. The association is stronger for African-Americans. Racial inequality and lack of resources are deciding factor in this relationship for African-Americans and whites, respectively.