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.