CHOOSING USING

This article investigates the shaping of contemporary drug-using (and non-drug-using) subjectivities through operations of choice and consumption. Examining various registers of ‘possession,’ it argues that in the construction of both docile and irredeemably flawed consumers, ‘choice’ (and its negation) is pivotal. Exploring motifs of choice, possession and pleasure in the operations of ‘normal’ consumer culture and the problematization of drug-using exposes a deeper anxiety underlying contemporary drug panics.     

A Preliminary Exploration of Immigrant Substance Abusers from the Former Soviet Union Living in Israel,Germany and the United States: A Multi-National Perspective

SUMMARY

The Former Soviet Union (FSU) has historically been seen as having an unusually large population of individuals with alcohol problems. Since the fall of the communist regime, a growing drug abusing population has become visible. With the large migration of its residents to western countries and to Israel, the rates of alcohol and drug problems among these immigrants appear to be disproportionally high, although reliable data are lacking. The purpose of this article is to summarize exploratory data regarding alcohol and other drug use among immigrants from the Former Soviet Union living in Israel, Germany and the United States, and to identify further research needs and implications for treatment and policy.     

海洛因中毒小鼠睾丸的组织形态改变

通过腹腔注射海洛因使小鼠染毒,观察了生精小管上皮细胞的形态变化,并应用图像分析系统对实级精母细胞的形态参数进行了分析。结果表明,一定剂量的海洛因对小鼠初级精母细胞的细胞面积、细胞周长、核面积、浆面积、核浆比例、核灰度及细胞圆形度均有影响。提示海洛因可明显改变小鼠生殖细胞的形态结构。     

Gender Differences Among Older Heroin Users

A group of 110 midlife lesbians filled out several open-ended essay questions on adolescence and midlife. Half the sample described themselves as non-traditional adolescents, e.g., bookish, rebellious or athletic. Approximately half the midlife lesbians had non-traditional dreams in adolescence, that is dreams of careers, adventure and having an impact on the world. Women who labeled themselves as "lesbians" in their teens and twenties were more likely to have been non-traditional adolescents. Women who labeled themselves as "lesbians" in midlife were more traditional as adolescents. The majority of lesbians in this sample were highly educated professional women. The data suggested that adolescent dreams and interests sewed as a source of vitality and creativity for midlife lesbians.     

Expanding access to Medication Assisted Treatment: The U.S. government’s response to the current heroin epidemic

The rates of heroin addiction and opiate overdoses have skyrocketed in America in the last decade. The government’s response is to expand the availability of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Because social workers can be expected to be a significant component of the workforce in providing MAT, MAT is relevant to social workers. Many social workers who are working in the area of addictions, particularly those engaged in 12 Step programs, do not hold favorable views of MAT. This article considers their objections and evaluates the validity of the basis for these objections. The rationale for the government’s approach is provided, and validity of the rationale for the MAT approach is evaluated. The “pros” and “cons” of methadone and buprenorphine are reviewed. The wisdom of the expansion of MAT for the individuals with addiction and the society is considered.     

海洛因、性、血液及其制品的流动与艾滋病、性病的传播

艾滋病或性病的传播在时空上是不平衡的 ,它是与海洛因、性、血液及其制品的流动以及一系列特定的政治经济与社会文化制度交织在一起的。从一定意义上说 ,艾滋病的蔓延暗示着社会的不平等以及社会变迁与社会文化制度不相协调的问题。本文基于作者在云南四个村落的田野调查以及对河南一个村落的访问 ,对艾滋病和性病在我国传播、蔓延的政治经济和社会文化背景做了描述和讨论。     

红楼春梦好模糊——贾府“四春”谫论

<红楼梦>中的贾府"四春"是"千红"、"万艳"的重要代表,各有其鲜明的形象意义贾元春如富贵囚者,贾迎春善得恶报,贾探春堪称末世英雄,贾惜春则被佛心冷结.曹雪芹通过"四春"形象,抒发的是"原应叹息"的悲情,说明在那个时代,不论你是贵是贱、是强是弱、是热是冷,都不会有理想的人生归宿.     

The social constructions of drug users in professional interventions

This qualitative study analyses the construction of a subject who uses drugs (injected drugs) so as to offer psychosocial proposals for social healthcare interventions within this collective, and thereby contribute to social healthcare policies that optimise treatment for drug use. The results indicate that identity is connected to positions that are activated in interactions and relationships between users and professionals in various day-to-day contexts of healthcare and treatment. We have labelled these activated positions: therapeutic, drug-sensory, consumerist, legal-repressive and group-community. Understanding them provides clues that may improve interventions in health and legal contexts. These clues include understanding the tensions between the subject and the substance, considering the stigmatised image and identity, and supporting the idea of the existence of dilemmas in users and professionals, as this may allow transformations to occur in the mutual relationships that are established.     

Drug wars down under: the ill-fated struggle for safe injecting facilities in Victoria, Australia

This article analyses the recent debate over the proposed introduction of safe injecting facilities (SIFs) for heroin users in the State of Victoria. It is argued that this debate strongly reflected the increasing globalisation of national social policy debates. Both supporters and opponents of SIFs drew constant attention to the alleged success or failure of existing SIFs in Europe. In addition, the debate saw the direct intervention of international and global agencies including the International Narcotics Control Board, the American Office of National Drug Policy and the Vatican. Some conclusions are also drawn about the reasons for the failure of the SIF campaign, including the conservatism of the opposition Liberal Party, the influence of the tabloid media and the use of ambiguous terminology.