Crack Grows Up

Last week the Justice Department released stunning news: violent- and property-crime rates, which have been dropping since 1991, are at their lowest level in 24 years. In 1997, murder dropped 8 percent and robbery fell 17 percent; early 1998 figures suggest the trend continues. Experts can't agree on why, citing factors from better policing to a booming economy. But one of the most fascinating developments seems to be that crack is now your father's drug. Users are maturing, if not heading into middle age, and dealers are less aggressive in recruiting youths, who tend to be turned off by crack's devastation (and more interested in the trendier, mellower highs of drugs like heroin). And the business has become more, well, mature as turf wars have been decided and trade has shifted from street sales to indoor client-list transactions. Then there's the bottom-line dictum offered by an expert: "Killing is bad for business."