Demystifying Drugs: A Psychosocial Perspective

by Ted Goldberg, Jo Campling (Editor)

Overview

Based on extensive participant observation research, a life-history model is presented to explain why very few of those who come in contact with narcotics become problematic consumers; that is, make drugs one of the most central elements in their lives. The model covers four stages in the deviant career; two preceding and two subsequent to the individual's narcotics debut. Prohibition and harm reduction as models for intervention are presented, and the implications for drug policy of the life-history model are discussed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333722466
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/12/1999
Edition description:	1999
Pages:	291
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ted Goldberg is Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Stockholm University.

Table of Contents

List of Figures		vi
Acknowledgements		vii
Part I On Drugs and Drug Consumers
Introduction		3	(6)
Assumptions and Concepts		9	(13)
The Social Components of Drug-Influenced Behaviour		22	(19)
Why Do People Take Drugs?		41	(19)
The Psychosocial Background of Problematic Consumers		60	(21)
Part II Deviant Careers
The Deviant Career: a Model		81	(17)
Parental Labelling		98	(18)
Societal Labelling		116	(11)
Secondary Deviance		127	(14)
The Deviance Spiral		141	(12)
Part III Narcotics Policy
Can We Cut the Supply?		153	(22)
Prohibition -- Swedish Narcotics Policy		175	(41)
Harm Reduction -- Dutch Narcotics Policy		216	(30)
Demand Reduction		246	(23)
Bibliography		269	(9)
Name Index		278	(3)
Subject Index		281

Editorial Reviews

Within a life-history model that explains why very few people who come into contact with narcotics become problematic consumers, Goldberg (social work, Stockholm U.) analyzes the assumptions behind different viewpoints in the drug debate and argues that social experiences must be given greater precedence in order to understand substance- influenced behavior. He examines different theories of drug misuse and presents data showing differences in the psychosocial backgrounds of problematic consumers, recreational consumers, and abstainers. He concludes by suggesting policy changes to account for the insight. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews