Young women illicit drug users : a feminist perspective

Abstract

The paradigm of drugs in society has been developed, mainly by men, and is usually considered to be universal. It is believed to cover both genders, including their consumption patterns and the reasons for them, their problems and their needs in rehabilitation. Nearly all theory is oriented towards a male perspective. Nearly all practice perpetuates the subordination of women. An important implication of this approach is that all women share the same social predicament which can lead to problems with drugs. It is the social construct of femininity which predisposes women to use drugs in different ways. This project examines women's evet)'day experience in connection with drugs. Feminist sociology, shall be the primary route to understanding the issue of women deviants and drug users in this project. Women's testimonials suggest that young women are seeking fun and pleasure through illicit drug use, that prescribed behaviour of femininity makes drug consumption patterns different from those of men, and that consequently women have particular needs that require addressing. A positive approach which recognizes the different meaning women give to drugs in their life trajectories is taken throughout. Gender sensitive strategies to make drug rehabilitation for women more effective are proposed.