scholarly journals A qualitative study investigating the association between social exclusion, stigma and long term problem drug use in a New Zealand town

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Murray David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Problematic Drug ◽  
Problem Drug Use

<p>Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between problematic drug use (PDU) and social exclusion and stigma in a deindustrialised New Zealand town (DNZT). The purpose of this research is to capture the perceptions; experiences and life course journey of individuals with long term problematic drug use (IPDUs) and contribute new knowledge and understanding of this lived experience.  Method: A review of national and international literature related to the phenomena of social exclusion, stigmatisation and problematic drug use was conducted to theoretically inform the study. The small-scale study employed a qualitative approach that involved a non-probability sample that met the criteria for long-term problematic drug use. This allowed respondents to share their perceptions and experiences of social exclusion, stigma and PDU in their own words and by their own frames of reference. The researcher occupied a position of insider. Following transcription of the interviews a six stage thematic analysis was conducted on the data.  Findings: The downward social and psychological trajectory of this respondent group began before the respondents encountered long-term unemployment and before the onset of problematic drug use, initiated at an early age by common experiences of trauma, exclusion and damaged home environments. For this cohort it appears problematic drug use may have become a coping mechanism or relief from the reverberating impact of stigma, exclusion and marginalisation.  Conclusion: The cohort interviewed show significant experiences of stigma, trauma and a disrupted life journey. These experiences became considerably exacerbated by problematic drug use and it appears most of the respondents have internalised and embraced a permanent status as ‘addicts’ with limited expectation of change. Respondents spoke of being ‘parked’ on methadone in respect of their drug problem and excluded from employment. This research suggests there is a need to look beyond the presented problem of addiction and its apparent solution of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and explore a more holistic strength-based approach that addresses issues of inequality, social care and discrimination.</p>

scholarly journals A qualitative study investigating the association between social exclusion, stigma and long term problem drug use in a New Zealand town

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Murray David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Problematic Drug ◽  
Problem Drug Use

<p>Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between problematic drug use (PDU) and social exclusion and stigma in a deindustrialised New Zealand town (DNZT). The purpose of this research is to capture the perceptions; experiences and life course journey of individuals with long term problematic drug use (IPDUs) and contribute new knowledge and understanding of this lived experience.  Method: A review of national and international literature related to the phenomena of social exclusion, stigmatisation and problematic drug use was conducted to theoretically inform the study. The small-scale study employed a qualitative approach that involved a non-probability sample that met the criteria for long-term problematic drug use. This allowed respondents to share their perceptions and experiences of social exclusion, stigma and PDU in their own words and by their own frames of reference. The researcher occupied a position of insider. Following transcription of the interviews a six stage thematic analysis was conducted on the data.  Findings: The downward social and psychological trajectory of this respondent group began before the respondents encountered long-term unemployment and before the onset of problematic drug use, initiated at an early age by common experiences of trauma, exclusion and damaged home environments. For this cohort it appears problematic drug use may have become a coping mechanism or relief from the reverberating impact of stigma, exclusion and marginalisation.  Conclusion: The cohort interviewed show significant experiences of stigma, trauma and a disrupted life journey. These experiences became considerably exacerbated by problematic drug use and it appears most of the respondents have internalised and embraced a permanent status as ‘addicts’ with limited expectation of change. Respondents spoke of being ‘parked’ on methadone in respect of their drug problem and excluded from employment. This research suggests there is a need to look beyond the presented problem of addiction and its apparent solution of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and explore a more holistic strength-based approach that addresses issues of inequality, social care and discrimination.</p>

Diminished Illicit Drug Use as a Consequence of Long-Term Methadone Maintenance

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Gottheil ◽  
Robert C. Sterling ◽  
Stephen P Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

scholarly journals Employment and the Post-Release Puzzle: The Lived Experience of Securing Legitimate Work among Women Released from Prison in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jasmin Kale
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Barriers To Employment ◽  
Research Findings

<p>As incarceration rates continue to rise in New Zealand (The Department of Corrections, 2019b), the number of people being released from prison will also rise. Life sentences are rare and therefore, the majority of people who are sent to prison will, at some point, be released to reside in the community again. Despite this, individuals are leaving prison unprepared for life on the outside, and they face a range of barriers as they try to establish new lives for themselves in the community. Employment is often cited as a stabilising factor after prison, a factor which can help a person to rebuild their life and become a contributing member of society. However, having a criminal history can negatively impact employment prospects, making employment difficult to obtain, especially in an increasingly competitive employment market. Thus far, research looking at employment after prison, and at prison and the post-release period in general, has been largely centred around men. Women and their specific needs are often overlooked in the research and in the criminal justice system due to their lower incarceration rates, and solutions, policies and practices are often created with men in mind, then adapted slightly to ‘fit’ women, without much real recognition of women’s different needs (Baldry, 2010; Mills, Kendall, Lathlean, & Steel, 2013). Therefore, the research undertaken for this project explores the role of employment in the lives of women who have recently been released from prison, looking at the benefits of and barriers to employment through the lived experiences of those who are in the post-release period, with a goal of adding to women-focused literature, which is desperately needed. Through semi-structured interviews, and guided by a feminist methodological framework, I drew on this lived experience of the participants and put their voices at the forefront of the research findings. The key finding was that while employment is vital for long-term success after release, the benefits of employment extend far beyond financial security, and employment is one piece of a post-release puzzle, which without the other pieces, is relatively useless on its own. A more holistic approach is needed in the post-release period to promote success.</p>

scholarly journals Artikel

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 197-208
Author(s):  
Sturla Nordlund
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Lifetime Prevalence ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Problematic Drug ◽  
Problem Drug Use ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Problem Drug

■ Aims The aim is to describe the development of the availability, attitudes to, and personal use of illegal drugs among the adult population in Norway, based on survey data from 1968 until today. Compared with data on young people, the data on drugs for the adult population have been collected more rarely, and results have not been widely reported. ■ Data and Method Surveys directed to the adult population with questions about drugs were performed in 1968, 1985, 1991, 1994, 1999 and 2004. The samples are selected in a three stage stratified quota procedure, and are representative for the whole adult population age 15 years and over. The data were collected with a face-to-face interview, mainly about alcohol. The drug questions were answered in writing, and in such a way that the interviewer did not see the answers. The availability of all kinds of drugs was measured by asking if the respondents think they could get hold of it in 2–3 days. ■ Results The availability of drugs has increased. In 2004, some 35 per cent said they could get hold of cannabis, while some 20 per cent could get other drugs. The attitudes towards own use were measured by asking if the respondents would try the drugs if it was not illegal. In 2004 about 8 per cent were positive about trying cannabis, with less than 2 per cent for all the other drugs. The attitudes have not varied much for any of the drugs between 1994 and 2004 and for cannabis have been rather stable since 1968. Lifetime prevalence of cannabis use has increased continuously since 1968, and was about 13.5 per cent in 2004. Last year prevalence increased until 1994, but has stabilised at about 3.7 per cent since then. For other drugs the lifetime prevalence has been stable at less than 2 per cent, with around 3 per cent for amphetamines. Last year, the prevalence of these drugs was less than 1 per cent, possibly with a slightly decreasing tendency. For cannabis the highest prevalence (both lifetime, previous year, and previous 30 days) is in the age group 20–24 years. ■ Conclusion The results are somewhat contrary to reports about increased problematic drug use in Norway during the 1990s. Survey methods are however not the best method to estimate problem drug use. The stability and even tendency to decrease of the prevalence of present drug use shown here might, however, indicate a decrease in the recruitment of problem drug users. Other signs point in the same direction: The sharp increase in drug-related deaths in Norway during the 1990s has given way to a decrease in the latest years. The prevalence of present drug use in youth surveys shows a decreasing trend.

scholarly journals Employment and the Post-Release Puzzle: The Lived Experience of Securing Legitimate Work among Women Released from Prison in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jasmin Kale
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Barriers To Employment ◽  
Research Findings

<p>As incarceration rates continue to rise in New Zealand (The Department of Corrections, 2019b), the number of people being released from prison will also rise. Life sentences are rare and therefore, the majority of people who are sent to prison will, at some point, be released to reside in the community again. Despite this, individuals are leaving prison unprepared for life on the outside, and they face a range of barriers as they try to establish new lives for themselves in the community. Employment is often cited as a stabilising factor after prison, a factor which can help a person to rebuild their life and become a contributing member of society. However, having a criminal history can negatively impact employment prospects, making employment difficult to obtain, especially in an increasingly competitive employment market. Thus far, research looking at employment after prison, and at prison and the post-release period in general, has been largely centred around men. Women and their specific needs are often overlooked in the research and in the criminal justice system due to their lower incarceration rates, and solutions, policies and practices are often created with men in mind, then adapted slightly to ‘fit’ women, without much real recognition of women’s different needs (Baldry, 2010; Mills, Kendall, Lathlean, & Steel, 2013). Therefore, the research undertaken for this project explores the role of employment in the lives of women who have recently been released from prison, looking at the benefits of and barriers to employment through the lived experiences of those who are in the post-release period, with a goal of adding to women-focused literature, which is desperately needed. Through semi-structured interviews, and guided by a feminist methodological framework, I drew on this lived experience of the participants and put their voices at the forefront of the research findings. The key finding was that while employment is vital for long-term success after release, the benefits of employment extend far beyond financial security, and employment is one piece of a post-release puzzle, which without the other pieces, is relatively useless on its own. A more holistic approach is needed in the post-release period to promote success.</p>

scholarly journals Illicit Drug Use in Ireland: An Overview of the Problem and Policy Responses

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aileen O'Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Economic Issues ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Problematic Drug ◽  
The Individual

Problematic drug use, mainly regarding the use of opiates, has been identified as a major social problem in Ireland. Such problematic drug use has been found to be concentrated in Dublin's inner city areas and outer estates where poverty, multi-generational unemployment, high population density (particularly of young adults), and poor facilities are the norm. Policy responses, although acknowledging the environmental context of the drug problem, have tended to focus on the medical treatment of the individual, rather than tackling the wider social and economic issues.

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