NCJ Number
116016
Journal
British Journal of Addiction Volume: 84 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1989) Pages: 43-52
Date Published
1989
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examines the changing role of the participant observer in drug treatment research, stressing the need for the participant observer to take on some of the functions of a health educator.
Abstract
Participant observers, working openly or covertly, are often able to penetrate the world of illicit drug use and explain the behavior of drug users. They are able to obtain urgently needed qualitative and quantitative data, but at the same time, they face ethical and practical problems that can compromise their own and their clients' interests. The author argues that while the participant observer must remain loyal to the subjects of the study, he is obliged to intervene when serious threats to the safety of the subjects occur. AIDS is a serious health threat to illicit drug users. Participant observers should be trained to dispense health education information to drug users in order to reduce the possibility of AIDS transmission. 39 references. (Author abstract modified)