NCJ Number
15307
Date Published
1974
Length
189 pages
Annotation
EXPLORES SUBCULTURAL ROOTS OF BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, IN AN ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS, THE SUBCULTURES OF THE USERS, AND VARIOUS PROGRAMS POPULARLY USED TO DEAL WITH DRUG ABUSE.
Abstract
THE USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS IS HELD TO CORRELATE WITH AGE, ETHNO-RACIAL AFFILIATION, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL AND OTHER SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT TREATMENT PROGRAMS MUST TAKE SERIOUSLY THE SUBCULTURAL PATTERNS WITHIN WHICH THE USERS LIVE THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DRUG ABUSE IF TREATMENT IS TO BE EFFECTIVE. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUNG AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CHANGE SOCIAL MILIEUS CONTRIBUTING TO STRESSES RELIEVED BY DRUGS ARE RECOMMENDED. PROGRAMS THAT ARE DEEMED SUCCESSFUL IN TREATING USERS ARE JUDGED TO HAVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS IN COMMON - SMALL, PRIMARY GROUPS USING INFORMAL METHODS OF SOCIAL CONTROL THAT RELIES ON PEER GROUP PRESSURE.