Adolescent PTSD and developmental consequences of crack dealing

The effect of crack dealing on emotionally disturbed adolescents in two African-American inner-city communities is examined and illustrated by case examples. Crack dealing was most often found to have dynamics and consequences separate from those of crack use. These include post-traumatic stress disorder and other significant emotional disturbances arising from the violence associated with crack dealing, and the shaping of adolescent identity by the associated culture of violence and guns. Implications for school drug abuse education are explored.