Shamokin’s Heroin and Crack Bust: What About the Baggies?

Big drug bust recently in Shamokin that means exactly nada because there are plenty of dealers out there just ready to step in for the arrested Andre Lee and his cohorts.

So instead, let’s talk about a Real drug war. And it’s all about plastic, baby, 2-inches and less, and boy would everyone be so much more protected if this “war” is successful! Yeah, right.

The Tiny Baggy Drug War

The so-called war on drug baggies has reared its ugly face for drug dealers. It was only a year ago that major cities like Philadelphia and Chicago announced, for real, a “crackdown” on tiny plastic bags used to sell small quantities of heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana. See full story.

That’s right—instead of a war on drugs, we now have a war on 2-inch plastic bags. As if they there were to blame for the drug trade. As if these baggies wouldn’t be replaced immediately with something equally as convenient as, say, plastic wrap or cellophane.

And what happens if I have an extra button for one of my shirts that needs a little plastic bag? NOW what do I do?

Fear not. There’s a way for both drug dealers and people with extra shirt buttons to both be happy. It’s called the “bindle” and the video below tells all:

This approach has its obvious advantages and disadvantages. On one hand this traditional approach to drug packaging shows a high level of craftsmanship and handmade quality, which counts for something and we will touch on it later.

From a user standpoint—though the bindle wrap has its unique charm–it lacks the user friendly interface of the small plastic bag.

The approach also requires an increased level of labor from the dealer’s standpoint, increasing costs, which would likely result in a reduced weight or quality instead of deterring from the standard $20+ price of packs this size.

But these of course are not the only options. The lack of integrity and concern for the “user experience” within the drug market is truly astonishing.

Will the Bindle Be It?

Let us start by defining our target Bindle market:

This user is fairly street savvy and though he or she may be on a tight budget, there’s usually some “disposable income” with which to cop. Our user is also likely have a basic to strong knowledge of drug laws within their locale.

These users do not consider themselves “addicts” because they always buy a low quantity. Most believe their drug usage is something they will grow out of, even the senior citizens.

Quality Over Quantity

The primary concern for this individual when securing a purchase is quality. Quality is not necessarily a reference to potency, but more of a nod to cleanliness, meaning that the drug has been minimally “stepped on,” or mixed with other harsh, possibly-death-inducing chemicals.

Generally these purer forms of the drug will result in a higher level of potency, or at least a perceived higher high. The best approach becomes “hope for the best” once you hand your money over. This brings us to the overriding theme of trust with the dealer.

Trusting Your Drug Dealer

The bond of trust with the dealer is three fold. User must first ascertain that they are not being charged unfair prices, secondly they must be assured that what they are receiving is at least decent stuff, and thirdly they must be confident that the dealer is using all possible avenues to ensure the transaction occurs unhindered by law enforcement.

It is rare to see a savvy user making purchases on the street corner from an unknown dealer. These “regulars” have a friendly relationship with the dealer, and the dealer is confident in their street cred, and vice versa. These transactions take place in the safety of  homes, usually the user’s place of residence or the dealer’s pimped-out vehicle.

It’s Not the Bags, Stupid

So: We have an intelligent consumer (the term intelligent can only be stretched so far when referencing the procurement of illegal substances), the need for discretion, and a desire by both parties for a level of transparency. It is quite surprising, then, to see such little concern put into the actual packaging of these products.

The standard small, Ziploc plastic bag is synonymous with illegal drugs. Regardless of whether the small bag contains drugs or small buttons, it’s the size that raises suspicion. Having the remnants of the past weekend come out of a pocket while trying to reach for change at a convenience store is always possibility.

There is no explanation, no room for interpretation: a small plastic bag carries much weight.

A well executed approach to product packaging can solve many of these issues. Getting the packaging right requires more effort on the dealer’s part, but the outcome is worth the time spent: a lasting brand loyalty a larger bulge of cash under the mattress.

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