Demystifying Drugs

Demystifying Drugs analyses the assumptions behind different viewpoints in the drug debate, and argues that social experiences must be given greater precedence if we are to understand substance-influenced behaviour. The author examines different theories of the essential nature of drug misuse and presents data showing differences in the psychosocial backgrounds of problematic consumers, recreational consumers and abstainers. Based on extensive participant observation research, a life-history model has been developed to explain why very few of those who come into contact with narcotics become problematic consumers. The model covers four stages in the deviant career: parental labelling and societal labelling, both of which are initiated prior to drug consumption; and secondary deviance and the deviance spiral which develop after the individual starts using drugs. After presenting and critically examining prohibition and harm-reduction paradigms, the life-history model is utilized to suggest further drug-policy options.

(Bookdata)

Bli först med att recensera och betygsätt boken Demystifying Drugs - du kan vinna 200 kr varje månad i tävlingen "Månadens recension".

TED GOLDBERG was awarded an undergraduate degree in anthropology and sociology from Uppsala University in 1967. In 1973 he received his Ph.D. in sociology from the same school. From 1970-75 he was Assistant Professor at the Sociology Institution of Uppsala University, and then held the same position for three years at Orebro School of Social Work. After a year at the R & D Department of The Swedish National Board of Universities and Colleges, he joined the faculty at the Department of Social Work, Stockholm University in 1979. He is currently Associate Professor there. Combining anthropological methodology with sociological theory Ted Goldberg has done extensive participant observation research on the narcotics scene in Stockholm. This has provided a basis for two books and several articles on drugs.

(Bookdata)

Acknowledgements List of Figures PART 1: ON DRUGS AND DRUG CONSUMERS Introduction Assumptions and Concepts The Social Components of Drug Influenced Behaviour Why Do People Take Drugs? The Psychosocial Background of Problematic Consumers PART 2: DEVIANT CAREERS The Deviant Career: A Model Parental Labelling Societal Labelling Secondary Deviance The Deviance Spiral PART 3: NARCOTICS POLICY Can We Cut the Supply? Prohibition: Swedish Narcotics Policy Harm Reduction: Dutch Narcotics Policy Demand Reduction Conclusion Bibliography Name Index Subject Index

(Bookdata)