Cohort Changes in Illegal Drug Use among Arrestees in Manhattan: From the Heroin Injection Generation to the Blunts Generation

Abstract

This paper identifies three inner-city cohorts differing by birth year and preferred drugs that routinely passed through Manhattan's criminal justice system from 1987 through 1997: The Heroin Injection Generation born 1945-54, the Cocaine/Crack Generation born 1955-69, and the Blunts (marijuana plus tobacco) Generation born since 1970. The future prospects for the Blunts Generation may be modestly enhanced by their continued avoidance of cocaine, crack, and heroin--despite the fact that many of them are being reared in severely distressed households and are developing few skills for legal jobs.