ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that secretive fixed-site drug markets contribute to neighborhood deterioration and decline. The offenders support their drug habits with property crime. In fact, crime search may emanate from a site other than the home, such as a shopping mall, a bar, or a drug sales area. If a considerable amount of time is spent in the drug sales area, it may act as a primary anchor point instead of the home. Considerable evidence shows that drug distribution also is associated with violent crime. Drug distributors are a negative influence on the quality of life, both for the users of the drugs and for the law-abiding citizens who must live and work close to the distributors. Not only is this fact generally accepted by the public; it has been verified as well in research focusing explicitly on neighborhood viability.
