For anyone who uses illegal drugs, possibly one of the most important people in the entire 'drug process' is the dealer. To many outside the drug scene, the word 'dealer' conjures up a variety of negative images. This is very rarely the case.
Research shows that the majority of drug users buy their drugs through established networks.
These have normally been developed over a period of time and are based on 'friends in the know' who are able to supply drugs through another 'friend' or a 'friend of a friend'. Where we see this pattern change is in street drug markets. Almost every city across Australia has these areas. In Sydney, street drug markets exist in areas such as Kings Cross or Cabramatta, where drug users travel to purchase and use their drugs. Although many users attempt to buy their drugs through established networks, the market in these areas can be competitive and as a result the users will often buy from the dealer who offers the cheapest deal.