Social Constructionism of Drugs
By: Victoria LeRoy, Ronisa Rhodes, and Chloe Roberts
Drugs
a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
- a substance taken for its narcotic or stimulant effects, often illegally
― Oxford Dictionary
So why are drugs a problem anyway?
Individual
Addicted/will get addicted
Personal Choice
Refuses to get help/help self
Genetics (more susceptible to addiction)
Substance abuse
Negative coping mechanism
May incapacitate individual
Individuals that have a mental or physical illness should take prescription drugs
Ritual or custom
Peer pressure
Curiosity
Context
Supply & Demand
Alcohol acceptable by law as long as the individual is over 21, doesn’t drink and drive, and follows city ordinances
Socially, alcohol/drugs are considered acceptable at parties, sporting events, when hanging out with friendsNot everyone who uses drugs will become dependent on them (ie. person who receives morphine at the hospital for an injury)
Drugs/alcohol may be more socially acceptable depending on the country or crowd
It is taboo to abuse substances at a business meeting or church (although some communions use wine because Jesus and the disciples drank wine and it is symbolic)
Behavior
Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use
Problematic to us because...
Overindulgence in alcohol/drugs is bad for health
Capable of causing an individual to behave irrationally/lose self-control
Linked to crime and abusive behavior
Negative impacts on family/friends/society
Negative coping mechanism
Productivity may decrease w/ addictionValues behind our reasons
Health
Self-control
Safety/morals/order
Well being of family/friends/society
The Individual/their contribution or responsibilityPerspective: Functionalist
“People use drugs, legal and illegal, because their lives are intolerably painful or dull. They hate their work and find no rest in their leisure. They are estranged from their families and their neighbors. It should tell us something that in healthy societies drug use is celebrative, convivial, and occasional, whereas among us it is lonely, shameful, and addictive. We need drugs, apparently, because we have lost each other.”
How the problem is socially constructed
Stories from prison
Citations
"Social Problems: Continuity & Change." (n.d.): n. pag. Saylor, 11 Jan. 2012. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
"UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING: DECISIONS OF THE CONFERENCE."International Legal Materials 26.6 (1987): n. pag. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 1987. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
All images are in the public domain and were obtained through morguefile