Social work strategies and drug users : a subcultural approach

Abstract

Tylor (1871) states that "culture, taken in its wide ethnographic sense. is that complex whole which includes ·knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society" (Tylor 1871 in Brake 1980). For various reasons, a large number of individuals decide not to conform with the mainstream culture that is presented to them by society. They prefer to re-group themselves in the form of sub-cultures. Naturally, these cause a reaction in the members of the mainstream society since these subgroups have different norms, values, customs, and lifestyles than others. These differences can be completely harmless~ for example, a different dress code, but may also present a threat to the prevalent social order. The higher acceptance and use of drugs often associated with taste subcultures clearly exemplifies the latter case. Following a review of the literature on subcultures, and on social work intervention in relation to drug abuse, this study provides a preliminary analysis of the link between subcultures and drug use. The first part of the study involved a number of questionnaires distributed to persons affiliated to the rock subculture (N=30), party subculture (N=30), and a control group of individuals not affiliating to any taste culture (N=30). The questions revolved around the attitudes of the three groups towards drug use and the prevalence of drug abuse in the three groups, which were then compared. This was supplemented by a series of in-depth interviews (N=8) with individuals who are presently in the rock and party subculture and also use illegal drugs. Another set of in-depth interviews (N=4) was effected with social worker working in the field of drug abuse to test their own opinions on these subcultures, and whether they take these into account in their work. Finally, recommendations on how social work intervention in the drug sector may better address subcultural factors is also provided.