A slightly larger or smaller amount has a commensurate change in price. This has not been true for purchases of crack cocaine. Therefore, changes in availability are measured by the average amount paid for purchases of crack. The average purity is based on all samples seized. There is no dividing line between user and dealer quantities of crack.
Users typically smoke the crack immediately after purchase.
Therefore, it is unusual to find user amounts of crack during routine investigations. During 1994, crack users received more crack for their money, reflecting a decrease in price. In rural counties, midsize purchases of crack are generally more expensive than in urban areas, so that rural figures inflate the average statewide price for the drug. Between purchases and seizures, there is a sufficient sample each month to determine purity for both high and low categories. The vast majority of purchases and seizures are for small quantities or are larger amounts repackaged for street-level sale, so combining uncut and cut heroin is not an issue.