Printer-friendly version

Environment factors in drug use

This is a controversial area as it considers the environment of the drug user as a causal factor for illicit drug use. This approach relies on the assumption that: "drug usage and in particular, problematical drug use, is a function of problems outside of the behaviour itself. Popular candidates for this type of causal account of drug usage are represented by the concepts of psychological, economic and social alienation."¹

This approach puts issues such as urban and rural deprivation, unemployment, poor housing and low job prospects at the forefront of prevention measures.

Proponents of this view would therefore argue that improved job prospects, better housing and living conditions and better quality jobs would have a positive influence if the aim is to prevent the misuse of illicit drugs.

One example of a programme designed to address this issue was the 'Boston Against Drugs' programme, New England, USA, which ran in 1988/89. This programme guaranteed employment over the summer period for young people in the scheme.

Supply and demand reduction

Leitner et al identify activities that they see as containing elements of both supply and demand reduction, referring to enforcement measures which traditionally have been seen as supply reduction measures.¹ Such activities include inconvenience policing, ie making it more difficult for buyers and sellers to meet, for example by an obvious police presence at a venue where drug dealing is suspected to be taking place. Another measure is disruptive policing, ie making it more difficult for sellers to trade, eg by searching the houses of suspected drug dealers.²

References

1. Leitner M, Shapland J, Wiles P. Drug usage and drugs prevention. The views and habits of the general public. HMSO, 1993.
2. Murji K. Prevention through enforcement. Drugs: education, prevention and policy 1994: 1(1).