Wasted Lives

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews in Hong Kong, this book offers an investigation of the lives of older triad members who use drugs, focusing on their social exclusion within the underground criminal economy.

Situated in the Driftwood Bay district – a site often represented as a “crime hub” – the study reveals how historical, political, and social factors intertwine legal and illegal livelihoods for marginalized individuals navigating both legitimate and illicit networks. Through detailed analysis of their criminal trajectories, shifting notions of respectability, and roles within the underground employment and arrest avoidance markets, the book uncovers how older drug-using triads experience gradual exclusion from the criminal world. It highlights the complex dynamics of respect, social status, and survival strategies, illustrating how these men oscillate between persistence and desistance amid structural constraints. By integrating literature on social exclusion, substance abuse, and organized crime, the book sheds light on the broader societal issues of marginalization, aging, and criminal justice. It offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in criminology, sociology, gerontology, Asian studies, and related fields, as well as those working in social services, drug rehabilitation, and law enforcement. This work challenges prevailing stereotypes and calls for more inclusive approaches to address the vulnerabilities of aging populations involved in illicit economies.

The book will be of great interest to students and scholars in the fields of criminology, gerontology, drug studies, sociology, and Asian studies. It will also appeal to practitioners in elderly services, drug rehabilitation, and criminal justice (such as social workers, police officers, and prison officers.