Drugs, Crime and the Reputation of the 1950s Lower East Side

During the 1950s, the Lower East Side developed a reputation for petty crimes and gang violence, as did similar low-income neighborhoods across the city. The increase in crime was correlated with a rise in heroin use and changes in the distribution and sale of heroin. Due to stricter federal narcotics laws enacted in 1957, syndicated crime organizations withdrew from direct heroin sales to users but maintained their control over the supply. With the breakup of the syndicate dealers, sales to users were farmed out to street dealers.

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____________________________________ The book upon which this web site is based, Selling the Lower East Side, is available directly through or order through Site design © 2000: Kurt Reymers and Dan Webb. (University at Buffalo, Department of Sociology)