Description of Sources
Eleven ethnographers, epidemiologists, and other ethnographic sources were contacted for this issue of the Pulse Check. All Pulse Check sources speak about their impressions of changes and trends in the use and the markets for heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and emerging drugs. In this issue, ethnographic and epidemiologic sources reported from the following areas: Austin, Texas; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Miami, Florida; Newark, Delaware; New York, New York (two reporters); San Antonio/El Paso, Texas; San Diego, California; and Trenton/Newark, New Jersey. Appendix B describes topics raised in conversations with Pulse Check sources and a complete list of ethnographic sources contacted for this issue.
Law enforcement sources in six cities were contacted for this issue of the Pulse Check: Birmingham, Alabama; Boston, Massachusetts; Eugene, Oregon; Miami, Florida; New York, New York; and Seattle, Washington. For safety reasons, the names of law enforcement sources cannot be published. All sources reported from the Police Departments in their respective cities. Appendix B describes the topics raised in conversations with law enforcement sources.
For this Pulse Check, 61 drug abuse treatment providers were contacted. These providers work in both small and large treatment programs, and are selected to represent all regions of the country. Unlike ethnographic and law enforcement sources, which are generally the same for each round of calls, treatment providers are drawn randomly from a national database of providers. Appendix B describes how treatment providers are selected and the types of information they provide.
