The subject line is supposed to be a play-on-words using the famous line, "your epidermis is showing." :-)

Kids were used as mules during alcohol prohibition! Kids are used as mules, lookouts, etc… today.

I think the main issue at play is the person's upbringing with regard to attitude towards cops and others in law enforcement. Without a doubt there are many places in our country where there is enormous hatred of anything resembling authority figures from the government. There is no way that teen will turn on his gang members, family members, relatives, etc… and sing like a bird. No doubt they are very well versed in all the lines to use; like a political candidate, I bet they are given dry runs on what to say if and when they're caught.

And, no doubt it is considered a badge of honor, courage, and cleverness, to either come up with a good story or take the fall for your friends. Don't forget that Jesus said there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

However, due to prohibition the drug trade has exploded, so no doubt one can find a diverse spectrum of situations.

However, this essay could stand a bit of updating. Personally I'd like to not cast dispersions on the first reason I give: money! Certainly there's the potential to earn enormous sums.

Let's take another look at this. I will look at it two ways.

1. With prohibition in place.
2. Without prohibition, but with a system of legalization and regulation.

Just to refresh people's memories…
It has been said…
Here's the real reason kids are selling drugs. Because a kid just a year older sold it to them. It's a trickle-down phenomenon. We like to imagine the 40 year old drug feind selling to a 10 year old but more likely they sell to those closer to their own age. Eventually as they continue in turn dealing down a couple years younger it ends up with kids. a 21 year old sells to a 19 year old who sells to a 17 year old who sells to a 16 who sells to a 15.

1. With prohibition in place

1. Privacy is guarded as much as possible.
2. Records are NOT kept to track sales.
3. Since it's all in the black market it has happened for at least 100 years.
4. As you have written, many who are older give drugs to those who are younger.
5. But I would note that there are many ways and many relationships which cause drugs to go from the older to the younger, not just the "social" one you mention.
6. Each year the black market grows; as do the arrest numbers; as does the incarcerated population; as does the money to fight it…
7. "Fight, fight, fight! Fight, fight, fight! The Itchy & Scratchy Show!" Thug Addicts love blood and adrenaline. So too do many Men (and Women) of Lawlessness.
8. The public watches a huge spin-operation by those in power: politics, purses.
9. "Nurse your anger! Burn with fury!" the Holier-Than-Thou-Congregation and High Priests of Assigning Permanent Shame shout.
10. "Everyone will become a druggie, overdose, and die in vomit in the streets!" proclaim the False Prophets of Prohibition
11. And on and on, saying we've ended the war, yet feeding the Drug War Tree & Fruit even more dollars to burn up on the altar of idols.
12. Until they sleep, perhaps never to arise again.

2. Without Prohibition — With Legalization and Regulation

1. Privacy is guarded as much as possible.
2. Vendors, distributors, etc… keep records of sales and shipments. They can be held liable for selling to other unlicensed companies.
3. Records are kept which track sales to groups and individuals. Sales do's and don'ts are regulated by an oversight body.
4. If a kid is found with drugs just ask him or her where he or she got them from.
5. At this point I'd say the kids you are thinking of, will "roll" and you can investigate further.
6. If the teenager (noticed how I didn't use "kid," "kid" should be used for 3rd grade and younger. IMO) does not say where he got them from, that provides a clue too.
7. The fact remains, where the "leakage" from the system occurs, is MUCH easier to investigate in a legalized environment.
8. While there are, no doubt, dubious people who are engaged in the drug trade, I feel positive there are many more who would willingly go through a licensing process so they are allowed to sell directly to customers and organizations. I feel no sympathy or pity for the former, the dubious dealers I mentioned, this is how we take control out of their hands.

1. In to the dark. Prohibition (by definition) GUARANTEES 100% leakage to the black market. End-to-end, source to customer. Overdose deaths, otherwise avoidable. Loose lips sinks ships, so Dead-men tell no tales. Gang graffiti. Violent turf protection. Intrigue. Blackmail. Monumentally gargantuanly huge profits. Govt. corruption.

2. In to the light. Legalization & Regulation allow us to control the primary sources of distribution. Legalization & Regulation allow us to hold distributors, and purchasers, accountable. Leakages from the system can be investigated much more safely.

(If someone is thinking, "we can control it by making it illegal," then please read this essay about laws.)