Overcoming and Penalizing Precarity: Narratives of Drug Personalities Arrested in the Philippine War on Drugs

The article problematizes state penality as a mechanism of repression of precarious workers through a war on drugs in the Philippines. The narratives of 27 arrested ‘drug personalities’ in Metro Manila tell of how methamphetamine energizes bodies and motivates minds for productive work. Bidding to be classified as willing and able workers and family men, the study’s participants orient to a moral stratification that pits the ‘moral versus immoral’ and the ‘hardworking versus lazy’. Qualifying their drug use as strategic and calculated, they uphold the neoliberal values of individual choice and accountability. Their support for the anti-drug campaign stems from their recognition of a drug problem and the socioemotional toll of the dysfunctions of living in the slums. While trade liberalization facilitates methamphetamine inflow, a war on drugs fuels an authoritarian populism. As the state reaffirms symbolic mission to protect its citizens, it blames precarity to a problem population.

From Medicine to Morals, and Back Again? The Changing Perceptions of ‘the Drug Problem’ in Norway since 1965

Norway has moved from a marked zero-tolerance policy to a debate on treatment instead of punishment. Youth using drugs are seen as problematic but the one with a problematic use should receive treatment. The political parties are however divided and a proposal for liberalization was voted down.

Critical Success Factors and Traceability Technologies for Establishing a Safe Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Drug counterfeits have been an international issue for almost two decades, and the latest statistics show that fake medications will continue to penetrate legitimate pharmaceutical supply chains (PSCs). Therefore, identifying the issues faced by PSCs is essential to combat the counterfeit drug problem, which will require the implementation of technologies in various phases of the PSC to gain better visibility. In this regard, a literature review was conducted to fulfill the following objectives: (i) review the application of traceability technologies in various PSC phases to detect counterfeits; (ii) analyze the various barriers affecting the establishment of a safe PSC and the critical success factors used to overcome those barriers; and (iii) develop a conceptual framework and guidelines to demonstrate the influence of traceability technologies and success factors on overcoming the various barriers in different phases of the PSC. The major finding of this review was that traceability technologies and the critical success factors have a significant influence on overcoming the barriers to establishing a safe PSC.

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

<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>

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

<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>

The Relationship Between Family Functioning and Religiosity on Readiness for Change Among Persons under Surveillance

There are numerous theoretical perspectives on addiction and the behavioural change processes during the transition from addiction to recovery. Although the precise nature of the relationship between religion and family function has not been discovered, it has been highlighted as a significant component in addiction. This study examines the relationship of family functioning and religiosity on the readiness for change among Persons under Surveillance (PuS). We randomly selected respondents (n = 85) of PuS in the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), Jempol District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, who participated in this study. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the level of family functionality, religiosity and readiness for change. Next, Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship of family functionality to change and religiosity to the readiness for change. Findings showed a significant correlation (p = 0.00, p &lt;0.05) between family functioning and readiness for change and it was a low positive correlation (r = +0.47). Moreover, findings showed a significant correlation (p = 0.01, p &lt;0.05) between religiosity and readiness to change the relationship was a weak positive correlation (r = + 0.27). In conclusion, family functioning and religiosity are related to readiness for change. This relationship is significant for PuS in NADA Jempol to implement self-care and for the divisional staff involved in NADA Jempol to develop prevention and rehabilitation strategies to prepare PuS out of the drug problem.

Impact of COVID-19 on drug use disorders and provision of drug related interventions in prison

Introduction With the emergence of the COVID-19 epidemic, most European countries implemented measures to prevent the spread of infections inside prison, including: use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene practices, limits to mobility, reduction of overcrowding. Their implementation affected the drug related interventions. The EMCDDA has conducted a rapid assessment to evaluate the impact of those measures on the provision of drug treatment and harm reduction services in the European prisons of 15 countries between March and June 2020. Methods The study was based on a mixed method approach that triangulated the results of an on-line survey, the outcome of a focus group with prison and drugs experts and case studies from four European countries. Results and discussion Most countries reported a reduction in the provision of drug treatment and, to a lesser extent, of harm reduction interventions inside prison during the early phase of the pandemic. The drug services tried to adapt to the new context. Innovations were introduced, including the use of telemedicine in counselling and pharmacological treatment, a better partnership between security and health staff and a more individualised approach to drug treatment. Concerns were expressed around reduction of some interventions, such as group-based interventions, services provided by external agencies, interventions in preparation for release, continuity of care and possible reduction in testing and treatment of drug related infections such as HIV, HCV and HBV due to the priority given to the COVID-19 emergence. Conclusions With the emergence of COVID-19, drug services had to address various challenges, making efforts to maintain the provision of drug-related interventions inside prison, while introducing the COVID-19 containment measures. Ensuring the equivalence and continuity of health care provision for those in prison with drug problem remains of central importance.

Changes in pharmaceutical market and “fake drug” problem in the Qing period

Since ancient times, fake drugs have been on the market in Chinese society. However, during the Ming-Qing Dynasty, this problem intensified as the size of the pharmaceutical market grew, the collection and distribution structure of pharmaceutical products became increasingly complex, and the phenomenon of separation between the prescription and distribution of drugs advanced. Additionally, the government did not manage the manufacturing or quality of drugs and there was no law or institution designed to solve the problem of fake drugs. Furthermore, social opinion also criticized the widespread problem of fake drugs, and patients and doctors had to rely on various pharmacognostic books and medical knowledge to find reliable drugs in the drug market.<br>Meanwhile, as merchants participated and invested commercial capital in the pharmaceutical industry, large reputable pharmacies began to emerge in large cities and produced drugs. With the commercialization of the pharmaceutical market, the public gained interest in drugs and consumed drugs produced by these pharmacies. Moreover, there were frequent problems in the market as fake drugs imitating popular drugs were distributed and the names of famous pharmacies were stolen. Although fake drugs were a universal social problem, the Qing government was reluctant to strictly control them tried to solve this issue by enforcing banning and punishment through local governments. Prominent pharmacies filed several lawsuits against the government over the theft of fake drugs and drug names. They also advertised the legitimacy and authenticity of drugstore to the public and customers. Doctors and merchants responded to the problem of fake drugs by following occupational morality, developing drug discrimination, cracking down on organizational discipline, filing complaints with government offices, and advertising their authenticity. However, the fake medicines did not easily disappear despite such a response, as there was no state control or legislation. Evidently, the pharmaceutical market was already highly commercialized and its structure were complex. Moreover, the financial benefits of fake drugs, competition in the pharmaceutical market, and public demand for drugs with similar effects at low prices also affected the popularity of fake drugs. Hence, the distribution of fake medicine in the Qing society can be seen as a phenomenon of separation between the prescription and distribution of drugs, commercialization and consumption of drugs, and competition on the medical market.