The current fashion for linking spice users to supernatural horrors is the latest chapter in the stigmatisation of high risk drug users. By Harry Shapiro I was preparing my presentation on spice for the recent HIT Hot Topics conference. I’d…
Tag Archive for stigma
Druglink article 2009 – Viewing habits by Andrew McNicoll
Some soap operas are cleaning up their act when it comes to the portrayal of drug addiction. Andrew McNicoll reports on how the TV industry is trying to strike a balance between capturing reality and chasing ratings. Viewing habits (PDF)
Druglink briefing 2009 – What does the public really think about addiction and its treatment?: Report on the findings of a DrugScope?ICM poll
Assumptions are made about public attitudes to drugs and drug users by politicians and the media but how are accurate are they? What does the public really think about addiction and its treatment? (PDF)
Druglink article 2009 – Transformers by Martin Barnes
Despite the successes of Labour’s attempts to tackle social exclusion, there remains a section of society whose complex needs remain unresolved. Martin Barnes on a new coalition that intends to eliminate barriers by looking at the big picture. Transformers (PDF)…
Druglink article 2008 – The wall breakers by Amy Taylor
Muslims often have to suppress drug problems in fear of being judged too harshly by their neighbours. A concerted effort is now being made to change this in one London borough but, as Amy Taylor discovers, it is now under…
Druglink article 2008 – Opening up by Diane Taylor
Stereotyping, ignorance and inequality are just some of the issues a new group set up to improve drug services for black users and workers are grappling with. Opening up (PDF) Additional keywords: race / ethnicity / minority
Druglink article 2008 – I was a heroin using mother
What’s it like being hooked on heroin while looking after a baby? One mother gives a frank account of the reality of life behind the tabloid stereotype. I was a heroin using mother (PDF) Additional keywords: families
Druglink article 2008 – The demon druggies by Ruth Goldsmith
Stigma is hitting drug users hard. Ruth Goldsmith examines the damage done by their depiction as the modern folk devil. The demon druggies (PDF)
Druglink article 2008 – The new Puritanism by Mike Hough
Are the days of hedonistic consumerism coming to an end? And will this trigger a revival of puritan-style attitudes to drug use? The new Puritanism (PDF)
Druglink article 2006 – From the horse’s mouth by Steve Sampson
The reality of life as a typical British drug dealer is more a case of limited career opportunities and market forces than the tabloid stereotypes of gun-toting gangs and selling heroin to school kids. From the horse’s mouth (PDF)