Main description:

Why are some drugs considered socially acceptable while others are demonized? In Canada today, drugs are viewed as both beneficial and problematic, and there is no definitive agreement on what should be done to address drug use.

The Drug Paradox examines both the empirically founded and socially constructed nature of drugs and drug use. In their exploration of the drug paradox, the authors discuss how the punitive approach to drug use in Canada continues to exist alongside strategies of harm reduction, though this only impedes Canada's ability to deal effectively with substance misuse.

Contents:

Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The Drug Paradox: Canada's Conflicting Approaches to Drugs and Drug Users
1.1 What Is the Drug Paradox?
1.2 Defining the Core Concepts
1.3 The Social Reality of Drugs and Drug Use
Chapter 2: The History and Politics of Canada's Drug Laws
2.1 Prohibition Era
2.2 The Opium Act (1908)
2.3 Proprietary or Patent Medicines Act (1908)
2.4 The Opium and Drug Act (1911)
2.5 The Opium and Narcotic Drug Act (1929)
2.6 The Narcotic Control Act (1961)
2.7 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (1996)
2.8 Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (2013)
2.9 Access to Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes Regulations (2016)
2.10 A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada (2016
2.11 Conclusion
Chapter 3: Explaining Substance Use I: Biological and Psychological Theories
3.1 The Moral Model versus the Medical Model
3.2 Biological Explanations
Nature and Drive Theories
Genetic Theories
Neurobiological Theories
3.3 Psychological Explanations
Personality Theories
BehaviouralTheories
Psychopathology
3.4 Conclusion
Chapter 4: Explaining Substance Use II: Sociological Theories
4.1 Control Theories
Social Bonding Theory
Self-Control Theory
4.2 Strain Theories
Anomie/Strain Theory
General Strain Theory
4.3 Subcultural Theories
Labelling Theory
Differential Association Theory
Social Learning Theory (Differential Association-Reinforcement Theory)
4.4 Integrated Explanations of Substance Use
Differential Opportunity Theory
Drift Theory
Routine Activities and Lifestyle Theories
4.5 Conflict Theories
Marxian Conflict Theory
Pluralist Conflict Theory
4.6 Postmodern Explanations
Normalization Thesis
Foucault and Biopower
4.7 Conclusion
Chapter 5: Classifying Drugs: Psychopharmacological Properties and Legal Classifications
5.1 What is Psychopharmacology and Why Does It Matter to Sociologists?
5.2 Opioids (Narcotics)
Natural Opioids
Semi-Synthetic Opioids
Synthetic Opioids
Legal Classification and Penalties for Opioids
5.3 Depressants
Alcohol
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Inhalants/Solvents
Legal Classification and Penalties for Depressants
5.4 Stimulants
Cocaine
Amphetamines (including Methamphetamine)
Nicotine
Caffeine
Legal Classification and Penalties for Stimulants
5.5 Hallucinogens
Natural Hallucinogens
Semi-Synthetic Hallucinogens
Synthetic Hallucinogens
Legal Classification and Penalties for Hallucinogens
5.6 Cannabis (Marijuana)
Legal Classification and Penalties for Cannabis
5.7 Psychotherapeutic Agents and Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Psychotherapeutic Agents
Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Legal Classification and Penalties for Psychotherapeutic Agents and Performance-Enhancing
Drugs
5.8 The Problem with Drug Effects and Legal Classifications
Chapter 6: The Socially Constructed Problem of Drugs and Drug Users
6.1 Bath Salts
6.2 Ecstasy
6.3 Crystal Meth
6.4 Cocaine
6.5 Prescription Stimulants: Attention-Enhancing Prescription Drugs
6.6 Cannabis
6.7 Solvents/Inhalants
6.8 Prescription Opioids
6.9 Heroin
6.10 Hallucinogens
6.11 Bringing Together the Objective and Subjective Realities
Chapter 7: Studying Substance Use
7.1 Population-based Studies
International Studies
National Studies
Provincial/Regional Studies
Advantages and Disadvantages of Population-based Studies
7.2 Field-based Studies
In-Depth Interviews
Ethnographies
Advantages and Disadvantages of Field-based Studies
7.3 Clinical Population Studies
Treatment Studies
Correctional Populations
Advantages and Disadvantages of Clinical Population Studies
7.4 Indigenous Methodological Approaches
7.5 Conclusion
Chapter 8: Demographic Correlates of Substance Use in Canada
8.1 General Prevalence Rates of Substance Use in Canada
8.2 Demographic Correlates
Age
Sex
Ethnicity and Race
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Geographic Location
8.3 Conclusion
Chapter 9: Relational Correlates of Substance Use in Canada: Peers and Families
9.1 Peer Influences
Perceived Peer Use versus Actual Peer Use
Social Activities and Peers
Selection of Peers
Intimate Partners
9.2 Families
Sibling Influence
Parental Influences
Parental Substance Use
9.3 Conclusion
Chapter 10: Prevention Strategies for Drugs and Potential Drug Users in Education
10.1 Types of Prevention in Education
Universal Prevention
Selective Prevention
Indicated Prevention
10.2 Drug Education in Schools
10.3 Models of Drug Education
Information/Knowledge Models
Values/Decision-Making Models
Social Competency Models
Harm Minimization/Harm Reduction Models
10.4 Drug Educators: Teachers and Police
10.5 Ontario: The Case of Failed Drug Education
10.6 Future of Drug Education: The Good and the Bad
Chapter 11: Legal Responses to Drugs and Drug Users
11.1 Prohibition
Advantages and Disadvantages of Prohibition
11.2 Decriminalization
Advantages and Disadvantages of Decriminalization
11.3 Legalization
Free-Market Legalization
Limited-Distribution Legalization
Medical Legalization
Advantages and Disadvantages of Legalization
11.4 Conclusion
Chapter 12: International Drug Policies
12.1 International Drug Conventions
12.2 Punitive Policies
Russia
China
Iran
12.3 Pragmatic Policies
Portugal
Netherlands
Uruguay
12.4 Conclusion
Chapter 13: Canada's Drug Policies
13.1 Advocates for Punitive Approaches
13.2 Advocates for Pragmatic Approaches
13.3 What is the Official Approach to Drugs and Drug Use in Canada?
13.4 The Missing Component in Canada's Current National Anti-Drug Strategy: Harm Reduction
13.5 The Future
References