From the pits of drug addiction to what is known as “the top” as a methamphetamine dealer, my life was a constant rumble of chaos and paranoia. The results of this lifestyle unveils many clues and signs that the average American citizen can use to discover if they are living next to a drug addict or drug dealer.
The most common sign is traffic. If your neighbor has many guests, no matter the hour of the day, due to the fact that drug dealers are also aware of the signs and are trying their best to be discreet if they are a formidable dealer, there is something or some reason that people are visiting them. After prison, I set down rules for myself to avoid further legal problems, and set a mandatory “cut-off” time so that there would not be traffic during night time hours. This ensures two things: people are less likely to view daytime traffic as threatening to their neighborhood, especially since many people are not home during the day and therefore do not see the traffic, anyway. Secondly, no one in the neighborhood is disturbed at night while they are trying to rest if there is no major traffic in and out of a driveway during that time. Therefore, watch for traffic during daytime hours as well as the obvious traffic during night time hours.
Another sign involves arguments, violence or loud noises. If someone is using a hard drug, they will most likely “wig out, freak out,” or “trip out” from time to time. Are the police called to the residence often by other neighbors? Are loud voices or damages to property witnessed at the residence, whether the residents’ own property or that of visitors? Are there broken items frequently tossed to the curb to be taken away by the trash pickup? Are there loud or boisterous visitors to the residence? This last sign can only be considered when other signs are there. Loud or boisterous visitors may come to football viewing parties, for instance, and not necessarily be there to purchase drugs.
The stipulation raised here about loud or boisterous visitors is raised due to the fact that ordinary people visiting ordinary friends do not normally yell or disturb their friend’s neighbors, as they care about their friends. Drug addicts, on the other hand, are consumed with the mighty Self. They are looking for instant gratification, and a raucous whistle at a neighborhood girl or banter over the man washing his car does not weigh in their mind as being a detrimental action to the dealer. They do not care for them as one would a friend.
Furthermore, different drugs produce different actions. It is very hard to tell if one is simply addicted to pain pills without interacting with them on a daily basis, whereas a methamphetamine addict can be clearly recognized by the general public. Are there lights on in the house late at night, if not all night? Is it obvious that activities continue well into the wee hours of the morning? Perhaps a work shed is inhabited all hours of the night with power tools constantly being used on something. Pot or heroin, however, involves a user eventually sleeping, if not passing out altogether. Therefore, different routines and activities would be witnessed.
An obvious way to tell if someone is using drugs would be that there are frequent parties or social gatherings at their home. This sign is pretty self-explanatory, however, and does not need much comment or definition. There are only so many birthday parties one can throw in a year’s time, of course.
Finally, a way to tell that your neighbors are drug addicts or dealers is to watch their mail box. Tampering with another’s mail is a federal offense, so I do not suggest opening the box to view their mail. Instead, how often is it visited? Does the mail person have a problem fitting new mail in because the box is full? Hard drugs can cause an addict to forget the routine of a normal life. If the mail box is filling up and a residence does not check it on a normal basis, there is a reason.
If you believe you are living next to a drug dealer or drug addict, be cautious. Do not offer the knowledge to them in an attempt to change or convert the resident. Drug use and even drug dealing is an addiction that is not overcome in a few friendly neighbor visits. As well, calling the Crime Stoppers number for your area does not make you a “snitch,” rather, it may very well save someone’s life, as there are many programs in place within the judicial system to help those addicted to drugs.