| title: | Drug User Subcultures in Estonia |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF4975 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
5.3. Sociology |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Estonian Institute of Humanities |
| head of project: | Mikko Lagerspetz |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - |
| description: | During the last years in Estonia drug use has been recognised as an important problem on the national level. Medical workers have so far had the most influential role in definition and explanation of drug use. While there are several sociological studies carried out in Estonia about the extent of drug use, studies dealing with the cultural aspekts of drug use are practically missing. The study starts from the assumption that the most influential feature determining drug use is social setting - drug-user culture. Drug consumption and addiction is ifluenced by the behavioral norms of the group, with whom drug use takes place and by the meaning given to drug-use. The objective of the research is investigate drug-users from the point of the sub-cultural context within wich drug-use takes place.The aim of the study is to compare different groups of drug-users in Estonia - heroin injectors, amphetamine injectors, cannabis smokers and cocaine users with respect to the social and cultural context of drug use. With respect to the substances used, the users are not expected to use the mentioned drug exclusively, but will be divided according to their most favoured and most often used drug. Research will be conducted using qualitative methodology - open-ended individual and group interviews, and participant observation. Aim of the research is to find out about different meanings to drug-use in different groups, about processes of socialization to drug-using sub-cultures, about norms which prevent or favour becoming drug-addict. Also find out charcteristics of vulnerable groups according to demografical background and cultural preferences. The results of the should be of theoretical interest also international level - if it succeed to find out cultural conditions when "stepping theory" works and when not. The results should be of interest also for professionals on different fields who deal with drugs prevention or rehabilitation of drug users in they work. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Airi-Alina Allaste | Institue of International and Social Studies | researcher | |
| 2. | Aljona Kurbatova | Estonian Institute of Humanities | master student | |
| 3. | Mikko Lagerspetz | Estonian Institue of Humanities | Professor | |