SOC313H1 Lecture 3: Social Control Lecture 3
Document Summary
A loosely defined term that covers a range of substances. A drug is a socially defined and labeled by society. Deviant vs non deviant drugs: medicinal vs recreational. Social attitudes: change over time, i. e. end of prohibition for marijuana, socially defined labelled by society. Cocaine acceptable till 1850, used a stimulant in wine products. Cigarettes commonly accepted until a couple decades ago, push to framing smoking as deviant, main reason for ban was workplace safety, direct impact on health care. Public opinion comes from linking of drug use and lifestyle. 74% smoker try to quit at least once. Example of social norms around a drug changing. Opium act 1908, 1911: prohibited sale and manufacturing of opium, three years or fine, the law itself was directed at opium dealers, still allowed for medical use. Law largely ignored drugs white people used and focused on drugs of other races.
