NCJ Number
191739
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 2001 Pages: 729-746
Date Published
2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article defines open marginality particularly in reference to heroin addiction trends.
Abstract
The concept of open marginality builds on the research work of past and present to help understand why heroin epidemics occur among some populations and not among others. An explicit definition is needed so that vulnerable populations might be identified before a serious epidemic is underway. Usually heroin epidemics take off in groups that represent marginal populations. In such cases, open marginality describes a historical situation where a move towards the mainstream suddenly becomes possible. Mainstream populations can also find themselves in historical situations where they move towards marginality, either because they no longer identify with the mainstream or because social changes push them towards a marginal role. Open marginality can be described as a gap between expectations and reality. Further work is called for to better understand the different ways the gap opens for mainstream and marginal groups. But for the present, heroin epidemics co-occur with historical conditions where an expectation/reality gap among the effected populations is a widespread topic in public discourse. Most cases suggest that heroin epidemics occur in openly marginal populations. However, it is not intended to mean that any openly marginal population will suffer an epidemic of heroin addiction. Open marginality is only one part of the trend theory. The larger theory includes issues such as being open to the use of illicit substances. 32 references