[wideawake]

Perhaps because alcohol is legal and therefore relatively inexpensive?

Not really. In NYC you can buy an 8oz flask of whiskey and a rock of crack for about the same price.

I would say that there are two factors at work: with alcohol one can keep the high going but getting hammered and then drinking a little more and a little more as you go.

With crack, you take a hit, it wears off rather quickly and you need another hit. The high is much more intense and short-lived.

Another factor - a person can get by at many jobs even if they're somewhat buzzed. It's impossible for all but a very few crack addicts to hold down a job for any length of time.

[Know your rights]

with alcohol one can keep the high going but getting hammered and then drinking a little more and a little more as you go.

With crack, you take a hit, it wears off rather quickly and you need another hit.

Of course ... and this would need to be factored in to any sensible price comparison, after which one reaches the conclusion that alcohol (the legal drug) provides the cheaper sustained high.