This article provides a narrative of the author’s research on Clay, a teenage cocaine dealer, the author’s efforts to help Clay’s family, and of events that culminate in Clay’s murder of his mother’s friend. Following the narrative, the author reflects on the relationship of this case study to questions and concerns raised in previous discussions of ethical decision making during fieldwork. These include the extent of responsibility researchers have for the safety and well-being of research subjects, the emotional costs of researching drug users and sellers, and fear of exploiting research subjects. The author concludes that, while no recipe for ethical fieldwork can be written, a review of dilemmas faced by previous ethnographers can enable researchers to anticipate difficulties and to establish useful guidelines before entering the field.
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