Drugs & Society Overview 2025
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Questions and Answers

What is one potential outcome of drug prohibition mentioned?

  • Decrease in black markets
  • Increase in violent crime (correct)
  • Improvement in public health
  • Reduction in incarceration rates

What significant act in 1908 is noted within the context of drug laws?

  • The Narcotic Control Act
  • The Controlled Substances Act
  • The Pure Food and Drug Act
  • The Opium Act (correct)

Which of the following best describes the current view on the future of international drug laws?

  • It is clearly defined and unchanging
  • It is based solely on nativist movements
  • It has become more stable over time
  • It is uncertain and subject to change (correct)

How do sociologists approach the study of substance use?

<p>By examining historical contexts and societal impacts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of drug legalization mentioned?

<p>Increase in drug-related harm, though unclear by how much (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which system is notably compared to the mass incarceration phenomenon?

<p>De facto apartheid (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the population characterized by lack of employment and economic opportunity in the context provided?

<p>Lumpenized population (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical practices are mentioned alongside the concept of Jim Crow?

<p>Chattel slavery (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the War on Drugs, what is a significant outcome noted?

<p>Stripping of rights (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issue reflects the relationship between legal and illegal economies as mentioned?

<p>Patron-client relations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of explanation focuses on the role of genetics in substance use?

<p>Genetic Theories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What classification does alcohol belong to?

<p>Depressants (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT categorized under neurobiological theories?

<p>Control theories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these substances is considered a minor stimulant?

<p>Caffeine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What explanation type focuses on environmental and social factors of substance use?

<p>Sociological Explanations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a semi-synthetic opioid?

<p>OxyContin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theory type aims to understand substance use by examining individual behavior patterns?

<p>Behavioral Theories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of explanations link psychological disorders with substance use?

<p>Psychopathology Theories (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of addiction is emphasized by Leshner?

<p>Addiction should be viewed as a chronic brain disease. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which drug category does not include natural substances?

<p>Synthetic fentanyl (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept challenges the view of addiction as a brain disease?

<p>Addiction involves environmental and social factors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the nature of addiction?

<p>Addiction is exclusively a behavioral issue. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to several perspectives, what does addiction resemble?

<p>Other chronic illnesses, like diabetes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is identified as a semi-synthetic substance?

<p>MDMA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What element of drug policy may perpetuate social injustices, according to some scholars?

<p>Strict enforcement strategies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drug does NOT include psychotherapeutic agents?

<p>Stimulants like meth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Drugs & Society

The study of how drug laws and societies impact drug use and related issues, including history, theories, classification, and sociological perspectives.

History of drug laws

Analyzing the historical development of drug laws and their impact on substance use.

Theories on substance use

Explanations for why people use substances, ranging from biological and psychological factors to social and cultural influences.

Classification of substances

Organizing various drugs into categories based on their chemical properties, effects, and legal status.

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Sociological perspectives on substance use

A sociological perspective on substance use that examines the social, cultural, and economic contexts surrounding drug use, and how they shape individuals' experiences and patterns of use.

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Genetic Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of genes and inherited traits.

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Neurobiological Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on how brain structure and function affect our choices and responses to drugs.

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Personality Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on personality characteristics that may contribute to addiction.

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Behavioral Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of learned behaviors and environmental influences.

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Sociological Explanations of Substance Use

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of pressures or social influences.

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Strain Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of societal structures and inequalities in shaping substance use.

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Conflict Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of power imbalances and conflicts in shaping substance use.

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Subcultural Theories

Explanations of substance use that focus on the role of cultural norms and values in shaping substance use.

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New Jim Crow

A system of social control and oppression that uses the criminal justice system to target and marginalize people of color, particularly Black people, creating a racial caste system.

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Stripping of rights

The process by which individuals or groups are deprived of their rights and freedoms, often through legal means.

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Lumpenized population

A term used to describe the economic and social marginalization of individuals and groups, often associated with poverty and lack of access to opportunities.

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Patron-Client Relations

A system of social relations characterized by patron-client relationships, where powerful individuals or groups control resources and provide favors in exchange for loyalty and obedience. It can be found in various contexts, including the drug trade and informal economies.

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Abusive bosses

A form of informal social control that involves using the threat of violence or intimidation to enforce norms and maintain order, often used in contexts of limited state authority.

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Drug Classification

A set of drug categories based on their effects on the body, the type of substance, and their origins - natural vs. synthetic.

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Neuroplasticity in Addiction

The process of the brain changing its structure and function in response to repeated drug use, creating a state of dependency.

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Anomie Theory of Drug Use

A social theory that suggests drug use is a result of social conditions, where individuals turn to drugs to cope with strain and anomie - a sense of normlessness and detachment.

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Addiction as a Brain Disease

A perspective that views addiction as a chronic brain disease, emphasizing biological and neurological factors over social or moral ones.

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Sociological Theory of Drug Addiction

A social theory that analyzes drug addiction through the lens of learning and social interactions, focusing on how individuals learn to associate drug use with pleasure and relief.

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Withdrawal Symptoms

The subjective experience of withdrawal symptoms - physical and psychological discomforts - when a drug is discontinued.

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Addiction

A complex phenomenon characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences, often associated with changes in brain chemistry.

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Drug Dependence

The process of becoming physically and psychologically dependent on a drug, leading to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course title: Drugs & Society
  • University: Western University
  • Year: Winter 2025

Course Content

  • History of drug laws
  • Theories on substance use
  • Classification of substances
  • Sociological perspectives on substance use

Addiction Definitions

  • Addiction (Alexander, 2010): Overwhelming involvement with drugs or alcohol, harmful to the addicted person, society, or both
  • Four contemporary views of addiction exist, expanding on the traditional definition

Drug Laws in Canada

  • The Opium Act (1908)
  • The history and politics of Canada's drug laws are discussed.
  • Temperance and nativist movements influenced drug laws

Future of Drug Control

  • Current international drug laws' future is uncertain, affecting national prohibitions.
  • Prohibition leads to issues such as black markets, and violence.
  • Possible consequences include, increased incarceration, poorer health, and harm.

Explanations of Substance Use

  • Biological explanations - including genetic and nature theories
  • Psychological explanations - including behavioral and personality theories
  • Sociological explanations - including control, strain, conflict, and postmodern theories all examined

Classification of Drugs

  • Opioids (natural and synthetic, semi-synthetic)
  • Depressants (alcohol, inhalants & solvents, barbiturates & benzodiazepines)
  • Stimulants (major and minor, including caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine)
  • Psychotherapeutic agents (antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers)
  • Performance-enhancing drugs (proteins, anabolic androgenic steroids, human growth hormone)
  • Hallucinogens (natural and synthetic)

Merton's Strain Theory

  • I. Conformity: Culture & Institutional Means are +
  • II. Innovation: Culture Goals are +, Institutions Means are –
  • III. Ritualism: Culture Goals are -, Institutions Means are +
  • IV. Retreatism; Culture Goals are -, Institutions Means are –
  • V. Rebellion: Culture Goals are -, Institutions Means are –

Lindesmith's Sociological Theory of Drug Addiction

  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Association of symptoms with a drug
  • Addiction is a result of this association

Leshner's Perspective on Addiction

  • Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease.
  • Similar to chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
  • Brain scans show differences in dopamine receptors in addicted individuals.

Hart's Critique of the Brain Disease Model

  • Minimal support for addiction as a brain disease.
  • Focus on neuroplasticity, distinguishing from actual diseases.
  • Social injustice implications of this model.

Lewis's Perspective on Addiction

  • Addiction in the context of biology, feedback loops, and the programming of the brain.
  • It is possible addiction is a result of a brain doing what it is supposed to do

Indigenous Drug Policy

  • Canadian drug policy's impact on Indigenous inequities.
  • Safe Streets and Communities Act: impacts on Indigenous communities need analysis

"The New Jim Crow" (Alexander)

  • Mass incarceration in the US, parallels to historical forms of control, like slavery and Jim Crow laws
  • War on drugs and its impact on incarceration and rights.
  • Historical systems of control and oppression, linked to the contemporary "war on drugs".

Drug Trade

  • Drug distribution network structure is outlined (Importer, Kilo Connection, Connection 1&1, Weight Dealer, Street Dealer, Juggler)
  • Percentage return on investment and adulteration are presented for the types.

Righteous Dopefiend (Bourgois & Schonberg)

  • Patron-Client Relations in the Legal Economy
  • De Facto Apartheid in the Day Labor Market (lumpenized population)
  • Abusive bosses, panhandling, etc.

Straight Edge Movement (Haenfler)

  • Subcultural resistance: Core values investigated.
  • Straight-edge symbols and culture examined

Course Evaluations

  • Three graded assessments: Midterm Exam 1, Midterm Exam 2, and Final Exam.
  • Exam type: Multiple choice for all three exams.

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Drugs & Society Lecture 1, Western University, Winter 2025, PDF

Description

This quiz explores the intersection of drugs and society, focusing on the history of drug laws, theories of substance use, and the sociological perspectives surrounding these issues. It also discusses the implications of current drug policies and future considerations for drug control in Canada and beyond.

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