scholarly journals ‘Just Knocking out Pills’: An Ethnography of British Drug Dealers in Ibiza

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Turner
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Seasonal Workers ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork

Background: Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with British seasonal workers and tourists, this paper provides an extensive overview of the methodological processes of researching drug users and drug dealers within the international nightlife resort of Ibiza. In an innovative application of Bryman’s (2004) Disneyization framework, it is argued that seasonal workers are engaged in a deep form of performative labour. As mediators of Ibiza’s hedonistic atmosphere, this social group are revealed to be deeply immersed in the island’s renowned drug market. Methods: Ethnographic fieldwork employing a grounded theory design was undertaken over three summers in tourist locations across Ibiza, including: nightclubs; bars and cafes; beaches; airports and hotels. Field notes from participant observation were supplemented with data from semi-structured interviews (n=56). Documentary photography was also employed, with 580 images taken during fieldwork. Results and Conclusion: Many British seasonal workers in Ibiza are rapidly enmeshed within the drug market associated with the island’s hedonistic nightlife. Participants in this study were invariably engaged in high levels of illicit drug use, and unlike their tourist counterparts, this was drawn out over several months. As a consequence of the fragile nature of employment within the legal economy, many seasonal workers in Ibiza rely on income from drug dealing. In a social context where drug use is woven into the consumer space, it seems the multiple risks associated with the drug trade are obfuscated. The paper demonstrates that ethnographic immersion within bounded play spaces is essential if researchers are to generate theoretical insight into the complex intersections between illicit drug use, dealing and social context.

scholarly journals Illicit Drug Use in Canada and Implications for Suicidal Behaviors, and Household Food Insecurity: Findings from a Large, Nationally Representative Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6425
Author(s):  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Dan Beamish ◽  
Jude Dzevela Kong ◽  
Jianhong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Suicidal Attempts ◽  
Nationally Representative

Background and Aims: Illicit drug use is an ongoing health and social issue in Canada. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of illicit drug use and its implications for suicidal behaviors, and household food insecurity in Canada. Design: Cross-sectional population survey. Setting: Canada, using the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey, a nationally representative sample selected by stratified multi-stage probability sampling. Participants: A total of 106,850 respondents aged ≥ 12 years who had completed information on illicit drug use. Measurements: Illicit drug use was assessed through a series of questions about illicit drug use methods. Respondents who reported lifetime illicit drug use but no past-year use were considered to have prior illicit drug use. In this survey, illicit drug use included cannabis use. Findings: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime, past-year, and prior illicit drug use was 33.2% (9.8 million), 10.4% (3.1 million), and 22.7% (6.7 million), respectively. In models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, prior illicit drug use was significantly associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.40), and plans (1.48, 1.15–1.91), and past-year household food insecurity (1.27, 1.14–1.41), and the odds were much higher among prior injecting drug users than prior non-injecting drug users. No significant correlation was found between prior illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts, but there was a strong association between past-year illicit drug use and past-year suicidal attempts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that even after people have stopped taking illicit drugs, prior illicit drug use, especially for prior injecting drug use, continues to be associated with increased risks of subsequent suicidal ideation, and plans, and household food insecurity.

Relationship between marijuana and other illicit drug use and depression/suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namkee G. Choi ◽  
Diana M. DiNitto ◽  
C. Nathan Marti ◽  
Bryan Y. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite growing numbers of older-adult illicit drug users, research on this topic is rare. This study examined the relationship between marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and major depressive episode (MDE) and serious suicidal thoughts among those aged 50+ years in the USA.Methods:The public use files of the 2008 to 2012 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided data on 29,634 individuals aged 50+ years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypothesized associations between past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and MDE and serious suicidal thoughts.Results:Nearly 6% of the 50+ years age group reported past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use. Compared to non-users of any illicit drug, the odds of past-year MDE among those who used marijuana only, other illicit drugs only, and marijuana and other illicit drugs were 1.54 (95% CI = 1.17–2.03), 2.75 (95% CI = 1.75–4.33), and 2.12 (95% CI = 1.45–3.09), respectively. Those who used marijuana and other drugs also had higher odds (2.44, 95% CI = 1.58–3.77) of suicidal thoughts than non-users of any illicit drug. However, among users of any illicit drug, no difference was found among users of marijuana only, marijuana and other illicit drugs, and other illicit drugs only. Among marijuana users, marijuana use frequency was a significant correlate of suicidal thoughts only among those with MDE.Conclusions:Health and mental health (MH) service providers should pay close attention to the potential reciprocal effects of marijuana and other illicit drug use and MDE and suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older adults.

Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Associated With Illicit Drug Use

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-947
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Injection Drug ◽  
Relative Safety ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

Injection and other illicit drug use plays a major role in the transmission of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including cases among infants, children, and adolescents.1,2 Transmission to adolescents and adults occurs either directly from contaminated drug paraphernalia, including needles and syringes, or through sexual contact with an infected partner. Transmission to infants occurs transplacentally or perinatally from mothers who are most often either drug users themselves, or who have become infected from sexual partners who are injection drug users. It is therefore clear that a reduction in the transmission of HIV infection secondary to illicit drug use and the use of contaminated injection equipment is a pediatric concern and should be part of any prevention program. The adverse consequences of illicit drug use are multiple and certainly not limited to the potential acquisition and transmission of HIV infection. Ideally, treatment and prevention programs should seek to reduce drug use itself, not solely HIV infection. However, many users of injection drugs do not enter drug treatment, remain in treatment, or maintain complete abstinence while in treatment. Therefore, promoting safer injection practices can provide an important public health benefit in lowering the risk of HIV transmission, while simultaneous efforts continue to reduce and eliminate drug use. Initiatives with the singular objective of increasing access to sterile equipment are understandably controversial, as they do not directly address the causes and broader consequences of illicit drug use. In addition, there are continuing concerns that any program increasing access to sterile needles and syringes might actually increase injection drug use by creating the impression of relative safety and tacit community approval for such behavior.

A Study of Social Regulatory Mechanisms in Controlled Illicit Drug Users

1977 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman E. Zinberg ◽  
Wayne M. Harding ◽  
Miriam Winkeller
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Social Sanctions ◽  
Social Controls ◽  
Compulsive Use

An ongoing study of controlled marihuana, psychedelic, and opiate users shows that long-term, moderate illicit drug use is primarily supported by rituals and social sanctions. These guidelines for use, developed by segments of the drug subculture, militate against compulsive use. This work demonstrates the necessity of viewing quality of drug use as a function of sociocultural as well as pharmacological and psychological factors. Findings suggest that a system of social controls similar to that operating for alcohol use could be a more reasonable means of preventing compulsive use than the present prohibition of any and all illicit drug use.

Factors associated with time between using a drug and injection initiation among people who inject drugs in Kermanshah, Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Noroozi ◽  
Mohammad Hassan Farhadi ◽  
Bahram Armoon ◽  
Ali Farhoudian ◽  
Zahra Jorjoran Shushtari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Needle And Syringe Programmes

Abstract Background The transition from non-injection to injection drug use dramatically increases the risk of transmitting HIV and other blood borne infections including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with the transition from first illicit drug use to first injection among drug users. Methods Using snowball sampling and convenience sampling through needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), we recruited 500 people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kermanshah, between September and December 2014. Trained interviewers collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, HIV testing and drug-related risk behaviors over the last month prior to interview using a structured questionnaire. Our main outcome variable was first illicit drug use to first injection (TIJ). TIJ was calculated by subtracting age at first drug injection from age of first illicit drug use. Results Overall, the average age at first drug use and injection were 21.4 [standard deviation (SD 5.6)] and 22.8 (SD 8.9), respectively. The average duration of injection was 6.0 (SD 4.6) years. Overall, the mean of TIJ for participants was 1.4 (IQR = 2, 4) years. Age of first injecting drug use negatively correlated with TIJ (R2 = 0.219, p = 0.001). Education level and socioeconomic status (SES), and negatively correlated with TIJ. Conclusion Some demographic factors and drug use characteristics including educational level, SES, knowledge of HIV status, age of initiating drug use, being a poly drug user and using methamphetamine were predictors of the time to transition.

Identifying a Drug Use Typology of Philadelphia Arrestees: A Cluster Analysis

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Yacoubian ◽  
Robert J. Kane
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Drug Crime ◽  
National Institute Of Justice

The Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program is a measurement system established by the National Institute of Justice to test booked arrestees for illegal drug use. DUF has consistently shown high levels of illicit drug use among arrestees, including those charged with crimes unrelated to drug use. Measuring the extent and nature of this illicit drug use is essential to, first, determining how severe the drug problem is, and second, developing ideal methods for combating it. Part I of this analysis presents an overview of the drug/crime connection. Part II describes the methodology of the DUF project. Part III, first, describes the utility of clustering as a statistical tool, and second, identifies homogeneous clusters of drug users from a Philadelphia population of 1,329 arrestees. Part IV assesses the policy implications of these classifications.

scholarly journals Good intentions and dangerous assumptions: Research ethics committees and illicit drug use research

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Bell ◽  
Amy Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Special Protection

Illicit drug users are frequently identified as a ‘vulnerable population’ requiring ‘special protection’ and ‘additional safeguards’ in research. However, without specific guidance on how to enact these special protections and safeguards, research ethics committee (REC) members sometimes fall back on untested assumptions about the ethics of illicit drug use research. In light of growing calls for ‘evidence-based research ethics’, this commentary examines three common assumptions amongst REC members about what constitutes ethical research with drug users, and whether such assumptions are borne out by a growing body of empirical data. The assumptions that form the focus of this commentary are as follows: (i) drug users do not have the capacity to provide informed consent to research; (ii) it is ethically problematic to provide financial incentives to drug users to participate in research; and (iii) asking drug users about their experiences ‘re-traumatizes’ and ‘re-victimizes’ them.

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