Neighborhood Alcohol Outlet Density, Historical Redlining, and Violent Crime in NYC 2014-2018.

Alcohol outlets tend to cluster in lower income neighborhoods and do so disproportionately in areas with more residents of color. This study explores the association between on- and off-premise alcohol outlet density and history of redlining with violent crime in New York City between 2014 and 2018. Alcohol outlet density was calculated using a spatial accessibility index. Multivariable linear regression models assess associations between the history of redlining, on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlet density with serious crime. Each unit increase in on- and off-premise alcohol density was associated with a significant increase in violent crime (ß = 3.1, p < 0.001 on-premise and ß = 33.5, p < 0.001 off premise). In stratified models (redlined vs not redlined community block groups) the association between off-premise alcohol outlet density and violent crime density was stronger in communities with a history of redlining compared to those without redlining (ß = 42.4, p < 0.001 versus ß = 30.9, p < 0.001, respectively). However, on-premise alcohol outlet density was only significantly associated with violent crime in communities without a history of redlining (ß = 3.6, p < 0.001). The violent crime experienced by formerly redlined communities in New York City is likely related to a legacy of racialized housing policies and may be associated with state policies that allow for high neighborhood alcohol outlet density.

Heroin diffusion in the mid-Hudson region of New York State.

AIMS: Prompted by the history of heroin diffusion in the United States, press reports and building on previous research into retail heroin distribution, ethnographic research was undertaken identifying and describing retail distribution and diffusion of heroin in and into medium- and small-sized towns in the mid-Hudson region of New York State. METHODS: In conjunction with fieldwork, in-depth tape-recorded interviews were conducted with recent admissions (30 days) at 28 different drug treatment facilities located in the region. Interviews were also conducted with drug counselors, narcotic officers, drug treatment administrators and the county commissioners of mental hygiene. FINDINGS: Heroin-dependent individuals who have access to cheaper heroin in urban areas, such as New York City, Newark, and Patterson, New Jersey, drive retail heroin distribution in the mid-Hudson region. They travel to these cities, purchase heroin in quantity (costing $8-10 per bag), return to the region and sell premium-priced heroin ($20-$25 per bag) mostly to irregular users who do not have access to retail drug sellers in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Price disparity contributes to a recurrent process whereby irregular users who are able to gain access to cheaper heroin in urban areas, return to the mid-Hudson and sell premium-priced heroin to other users who do not have access to cheaper heroin. This process contributes to the diffusion of heroin abuse.