NCJ Number
228902
Journal
Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2009 Pages: 437-464
Date Published
November 2009
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from self report surveys of prevalence of illicit drug use by customers in the English night time economy.
Abstract
Four conclusions were drawn from the study's data and relate to contemporary empirical work on, and theorization of, the night time economy, regarding drug use. First, evidence was provided for enduring, prolific but distinct weekend recreational use of illicit drugs by young adults out and about in a range of different venues across the English night time economy. Second, the study highlights the relationship between diverse yet distinct patterns of drug use and consumption of different entertainment types. Significant differences were found in the weekend polydrug repertoires reported by customers. Third, the study highlighted the practice of preloading with illicit drugs as well as alcohol before entrance to urban play spaces. Lastly, the dynamic nature of these weekend polydrug repertoires has implications in terms of the wider regulatory framework of prohibition. The expansion of the British night time economy has led to a growing body of research focused on drinking, alcohol-related crime, and broader cultural and criminological aspects of the alcohol-focused licensed leisure industry. This article presents the first findings from a series of surveys conducted between 2004 and 2008 in venues across the night time economy of a large city in the northwest of England in order to compare and contrast the prevalence of illicit drug use between customers attending a range of bars and clubs in the same city. Tables, notes, and references