Historique
Article de Périodique
Emerging patterns of crack use in Mexico City (2015)
Auteur(s) :
VALDEZ, A. ;
KAPLAN, C. ;
NOWOTNY, K. M. ;
NATERA-REY, G. ;
CEPEDA, A.
Année
2015
Page(s) :
739-745
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Thésaurus géographique
MEXIQUE
Thésaurus mots-clés
CRACK
;
TYPE D'USAGE
;
ETHNOGRAPHIE
;
ETUDE QUALITATIVE
;
SOCIABILITE
;
USAGER
Résumé :
Background: Recent studies in Mexico have documented a significant increase in crack cocaine use, indicating the potential for an emerging drug epidemic.
Methods: Ethnographic observations and interviews were used describe the profiles and patterns of use among street-recruited crack users in Mexico City. The data came from an international research collaboration funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Results: A polythetic typology was developed based on five dimensions central to categorizing patterns of crack use behavior: frequency of use, duration of use, context, social networks, and social contracts. Four types of users were discovered applying these dimensions: dabblers, stable users, crack heads, and old heads. Although several similarities were documented between patterns of crack use in Mexico and those in the United States and Western Europe, several key aspects distinguished crack users in this population: (1) self-regulated use; (2) non-linear progression of crack; and (3) the influence of the dimensions pertaining to setting, social networks, and social contract as contributing to understanding of the previous two. Further, we provide a discussion of how specific contextual factors in Mexico may be giving rise to these emerging patterns.
Conclusion: Compared to the U.S. and Europe, this study finds that the majority of crack users were able to self-regulate their use without major disruption to daily social functioning. As crack use spreads in Mexico and other Latin American countries, we need to recognize the importance of social context in developing more tailored health and social responses that are specific to these developing countries.
Highlights:
Mexico and other developing countries experiencing increased crack use.
Polythetic typology includes dabblers, stable users, crack heads and old heads.
Crack patterns self-regulated and less problematic and embedded in everyday life.
Mexico City's disadvantaged social context explains crack use patterns.
Responses to crack in Mexico require distinct tailored health and social responses.
Methods: Ethnographic observations and interviews were used describe the profiles and patterns of use among street-recruited crack users in Mexico City. The data came from an international research collaboration funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Results: A polythetic typology was developed based on five dimensions central to categorizing patterns of crack use behavior: frequency of use, duration of use, context, social networks, and social contracts. Four types of users were discovered applying these dimensions: dabblers, stable users, crack heads, and old heads. Although several similarities were documented between patterns of crack use in Mexico and those in the United States and Western Europe, several key aspects distinguished crack users in this population: (1) self-regulated use; (2) non-linear progression of crack; and (3) the influence of the dimensions pertaining to setting, social networks, and social contract as contributing to understanding of the previous two. Further, we provide a discussion of how specific contextual factors in Mexico may be giving rise to these emerging patterns.
Conclusion: Compared to the U.S. and Europe, this study finds that the majority of crack users were able to self-regulate their use without major disruption to daily social functioning. As crack use spreads in Mexico and other Latin American countries, we need to recognize the importance of social context in developing more tailored health and social responses that are specific to these developing countries.
Highlights:
Mexico and other developing countries experiencing increased crack use.
Polythetic typology includes dabblers, stable users, crack heads and old heads.
Crack patterns self-regulated and less problematic and embedded in everyday life.
Mexico City's disadvantaged social context explains crack use patterns.
Responses to crack in Mexico require distinct tailored health and social responses.
Affiliation :
School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Cote :
Abonnement