SOC 1500 Lecture Notes - Harm Reduction, Methamphetamine, Labeling Theory

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1500
• Professor: Alexander Shvarts

Document Summary

1/4 (25%) of males die related to tobacco; approx. 8% die from alcohol related; drugs less than 2% deaths are attributed to illegal drugs; smoking increasing amongst females. Virtually has killed no one in history no damage: harm reduction approach: ex. Safe injection sites in vancouver, montreal, and toronto. Approach hasn"t worked and has done more damage (i. e. by generating and rewarding organized crime) than the use of drugs themselves > president nixon introduced in 1970"s. The pharmacology of drugs: societal demands to punish, stigmatize, and exclude users of certain substances is not based on pharmacological evidence > little scientific evidence that shows that smoking marijuana is a major detriment to your health. Cocaine convictions have increased in canada despite declining use. Moral entrepreneurs and control agents: determine which behaviors are criminalized (becker, 1963). Moral entrepreneurs define conditions as offensive and harmful. Enforce rules - provide the enforcers (police) with jobs and justifications for them.