Well the cheaper alternative is Bath Salts. People who have the need will always find a way to get high. Legalize and tax. More revenue, less dirt, better highs.

I’m pretty sure that people in NYC are spending the same amount of disposible/non-disposible income on recreational drugs. It’s a recession-proof market.  The money spent is the same, the choice of drug has changed. Powder cocaine is “for old people trying to relive the 80s”. It is an older shrinking demographic. It has not had a resurgence in North America like it has in Europe and particularly the UK.  The social party drugs that younger recreational drug users grew up on and use are pharmaceuticals.  Outside of major urban centers and in less affluent communities cheaper (and more harmful) substances notably meth have replaced coke.

\or so I hear