The rise of the street middleman woman in a declining drug market

Performing special services for others, when compensation is either explici t or implicit, is an integral part of the social organization of drug subcu ltures. One instrumental activity in this milieu is the service performed b y the middleman or woman in obtaining illegal drugs for others. A street mi ddleman/woman involved in drug transactions in Bushwick, Brooklyn is a pers on who specializes in procuring drugs for those people who cannot or do not want to purchase drugs directly from a dealer because of their unfamiliari ty with the dealer and/or the fear of being arrested. They are monetarily c ompensated for this service by the customer. At times they also receive dis counts from street drug dealers on purchases for their customers which incr eases their monetary compensation.