In this volume, Waterston brings a political economic theoretical perspective to the analysis of a large corpus of face-to-face interviews with active street drug users. The initial chapter lays out the theoretical orientation, namely that rather than focusing narrowly on moral, psychological, or cultural defects in the drug user, understanding drug abuse as a social phenomenon requires an analysis of the social relations in society, including those of class, race, and gender. As part of this discussion, Waterstone critiques the "deviance" model of drug abuse and shows that you cannot comprehend drug use without analyzing drug control policies. The remainder of the book uses this perspective to examine the daily lives, behaviors, survial strategies, thoughts and concerns of not-in-treatment drug users on the streets of New York City. In this analysis, Waterston puts a very human face on the often faceless and usually condemned users of illicit substances. This is an excellent study of drug abuse in America today and is highly recommended. Unlike many books on drug abuse, this book has a sound theoretical foundation and a very humane approach to the people under study.

This book shocked me. I was taught that addicts were the worst of the worst until it happens to you or someone you know or love. I found this book and it opened my eyes. Now I see things differently. Also, this author is not afraid to talk about what really causes crime, addiction and poverty.

Waterston's Street Addicts in the Political Economy provides insight into the inner world of street addicts and the larger sociocultural system in which they live. Using ethnographic data, she provides a voice for drug addicts allowing the reader to understand their thoughts and behaviors. Moreover, she describes the processes involved in the social construction of the group. This book is the perfect combination of ethnography and analysis. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining access to this new, mysterious world. Waterston provides the reader with data to form his or her own opinion, followed by a thorough analysis breaking down many of the stereotypes associated with street addicts.