Just+A+Leisurely+High


 * Just A Leisurely High **

Name: Cassandra Hoole Student number: n8304912 Tutor: Steve Badman

** Present your artefact ** This cartoon by Patrick McWade is named ‘Then, Again’, and was made to commemorate International Day against Drug Abuse. The message behind this image is the idea that drugs taken recreationally are not a form of abuse and therefore not considered a problem to users as it is only an every now and again behaviour. Furthermore, the illustration depicts the peer pressure that eludes illicit drug use and how quickly someone can be persuaded to partake in actions they had previously disagreed with.

** Name the public health issue central to your analysis ** The public health issue to be discussed is the increase in the normalisation of recreational drug use in Australia. As the use of drugs recreationally begins to be considered as 'cool' and a 'no danger' attitude towards their use is developed, any serious health warnings about its action are disregarded. Soon enough, recreational drug use at parties or clubs will become the social norm and it will be considered abnormal to not partake in illicit recreational use. The key area of concern is adolescents and young adults who are engaged in the party scene regularly; with widespread illicit drug use amongst Australians aged 16-30 (AIHW, 2011). The problem then becomes apparent when recreational drug use turns into addiction.

** Literature review ** According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, prevalence of illicit drug use has increased from 13.4% in 2007 to 14.7% in 2010. Majority of the increase is due to recent use of cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants and pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes. People aged 20-19 are most likely to have used illicit drugs in the last 12 months, with 17.6% of Australians having consumed in this time period (AIHW, 2011).

In recent years a common theme has emerged in young people’s recreational drug use known as normalisation. It has been argued by many researchers that the use of illicit drugs has become a normal aspect of many young adults’ lives (Bahora //et. al//, 2009). Substances such as cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine the most commonly used in leisure time of young cultures (Bahora //et. al//, 2009). Normalisation theory developed by Parker and colleagues in the 1990’s is a key concept used to describe the increase in recreational drug use among young adult Australians (Duff, 2005). Developed initially to describe the process of accepting disabled individuals into everyday life, normalisation has become a “barometer of changes in social behaviour and cultural perspectives” (Duff, 2005). Over the 10 year study conducted by Parker and colleagues, it was found that 25% of the research participants were regular recreational drug users by the age of 21 (Duff, 2005). In order to examine the extent that the normalisation of drugs has developed, a number of key dimensions were identified to be the foundations of normalisation. These include “drug access and availability, drug trying rates, rates of drug use, attitudes towards recreational drug use and the degree of cultural accommodation of illegal drug use” (Duff, 2005). An increase in illicit drug trying is measured by the rates of recent use and can signify the transition from recreational use to problematic use (Bahora //et. al//, 2009). A shift in social and cultural attitudes might cause an increase in illicit drug use and these are always changing over time.

Recently normalisation theory was applied to assess the extent to which illicit drug use is becoming normal among attendees of the music festival Big Day Out or whether it is stigmatized to certain groups of festival goers (Byrant //et. al//, 2010). Over a 4 year period, researchers interviewed 1588 participants to assess the normalisation of drug use amongst 20-22 year olds. In terms of accessibility, majority of respondents reported that cannabis and ecstasy were very easy or fairly easy to obtain and this remained unchanged over the 4 years (Byrant //et. al//, 2010). Cannabis was the most commonly used illicit drug, and the rates of use of all other illicit drugs (ecstasy, amphetamine etc) remained unchanged. It was found that illicit drug use was common among many of young people who attended Big Day Out (Byrant //et. al//, 2010). Illicit drug use was more common in those who had contact with other young people that used drugs, reporting easier access to both ecstasy and amphetamine compared with to those with low social contacts (Cook //et. al//, 2013). Perhaps the most enlightening research into this topic was one conducted with participants from bars and nightclubs in Melbourne city in order to establish a relationship between recreational drug use and young people’s leisure time. Over three quarters of the participants reported knowing people who take party drugs, with cannabis and ecstasy being the most commonly used drug (83.2%) (Duff, 2005). However, when asked about their level of concern in relation to their own drug use, only 5% stated they were very concerned. It has become apparent that the use of party drugs in clubs is a normal part of going out, with 72% of both users and abstainers agreeing to this fact (Duff, 2005). The acceptability of drug use for recreational purposes is slowly increasing with 55% of users believing people who use party drugs in clubs do not cause problems (Duff, 2005). It is evident that it’s not just users of drugs who believe its uptake is acceptable within society, but even abstainers have learnt to tolerate this behaviour and now consider it the norm, often with very neutral feelings towards its use. Interestingly the use of illicit drugs recreationally is highest among those employed and educated, with only 4.2% of those surveyed having not received an education or have a job (Duff, 2005). Over the years drug use has shifted from an underground culture to now being more mainstream. All drug dependence was labelled as chaotic and very much of a taboo, however recreational use now seems to have been integrated into the leisure time of Australian youth culture (Signe, 2012). Over time people’s attitudes towards drugs have become less negative when in a social atmosphere.

The key methodology to explain young recreational drug use is normalisation theory. Despite its ability to grapple with the rise in drug use, there are few limitations to its application. Firstly is does not allow for differences in the types of drugs used and the way they are used across varying societal groups (Shildick, 2002). For instance, the uptake of cannabis may be more normal for one group of individuals compared with another who regularly uses ecstasy. Shrildick (2002) suggests that youthful drug use is more complex than generalizing young people’s drug use as normalized. Seeing as all individuals are different, what constitutes one person as being a recreational drug user may pose as a problematic user for another. Finally, the notion that the normalisation of drug using behaviour can be related to aspects of social theory is somewhat incorrect. As it has been established, being middle class no longer prevents young adults from taking illicit drugs, in fact those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have been found to have higher recreational drug use (Signe, 2012). Normalisation is therefore often criticised for its postmodernist’s views being too complex which makes it hard to focus on particular groups and instead normalizes recreational drug use for youth culture in its entirety. ** Cultural and social analysis ** The normalisation of drug use is primarily concerned with a cultural change in behaviour towards drug use and the way in which it is tolerated as an integrated part of society. Youth cultures have come to delve into a process described by Parker and his colleagues as ‘cultural accommodation of the illicit’, where drug use is conceptualized by young people and engaged in as a part of a leisure activity (Duff, 2005). The attitude and awareness of young people towards drug use has shifted and coincides with an increase in drug availability, as they have adapted their drug use in order to fit in with Australian society. An array of bars and nightclubs are becoming increasingly popular in all major cities of Australia, and it is young people’s behaviour in these social scenes that is becoming more mainstream (Smirnov //et. al//, 2013). Majority of young people see their own recreational drug use as a non-problem and view party drug use as a normal party of clubbing. Recreational drug use in youth culture has been labelled as a ‘work hard, play hard’ way of life; where clubbing is representative of celebrating the end of a week and a way to maintain friendships (Erickson & Hathaway, 2010). Youth culture is all about a sense of group cohesiveness and a commitment to a shared identity (Cook //et. al//, 2013). The way in which society has come to normalize recreational drug use is a crucial component in redressing this issue. This is because it is important to realize where the progression in society’s views on recreational drug use first shifted and why it has become such a common leisure activity. The way recreational drug users see their behaviour is another critical aspect of addressing this issue as it is important to understand attitudes towards a behaviour before it can be fully understood. The social group most affected by the normalisation of drug use are young adults in the age group of 16-30 years (Bryant //et. al//, 2010). In addition, the demand for illicit drugs for recreational purposes have increased most amongst educated and employed young adults. Its use has drifted from a previously subcultural youth group to now being a more mainstream act amongst youth culture. Recreational drug use is a way in which young people engage in leisure time and tends to mostly affect those of middle class (Smirnov //et. al//, 2013). Awareness of this issue is important because as recreational drug use increases amongst users, the more influence this group has on initiating abstainers to begin use. It has been shown that use occurs through an increase in the number of peer ties who accept the use of drugs (Cook //et. al//, 2013). There is also cause for concern for the recreational drug users who have crossed the line but do not yet regard themselves as problematic (Hanson //et. al//, 2001). Furthermore, there is a heightened need to focus on the varying social networks that drug users are involved in. Public health experts should focus their attention on the cultures and contexts of young people’s drug use in order to assist the development of more effective drug education and harm minimization strategies (Erickson & Hathaway, 2010). Further to this, more detailed empirical research into the culture and meaning of young people’s illicit drug use in Australia is needed (Bahora //et. al//, 2009). This will help to curb future generations of youth culture being immersed in drug use.


 * Analysis of the artefact and your own learning reflections **

My artefact represents the acceptance of recreational drug use within Australian society, especially for youth culture. This has been articulated through the ‘cool’ and relaxed way the drug user cartoon character says “Abuse? You mean like torture? No way man. These drugs are recreational”. The phrase makes the viewer feel as though drug use in a leisurely setting is acceptable and is not representative of a problematic user. Further to this, this mind set has been described as normal among young Australians. In my opinion, the reason that young people feel the need to use drugs as a leisure activity is ought to be addressed. When did youth culture decide that hanging out with friends and enjoying their company was not enough anymore? That the need to get high is the most enjoyable and acceptable way to socialize? Through this analysis I have come to realize that the behaviour that I thought was to only occur amongst rebellious, troubled and underprivileged teenagers is now as normal amongst individuals that I associate with, those of education and employment. Where will the line be drawn?

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011). //Drugs in Australia 2010: Tobacco, alcohol and other drugs//. Retrieved October 26, 2013, from [].
 * Reference list **

Bahora, M., Sterk, C., & Elifson, K. (2009). Understanding recreational ecstasy use in the United States: A qualitative inquiry. //International Journal of Drug Policy//, //20//(1), 62-69. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2007.10.003.

Byrant, J., Holt, M., Treloar, C., & Wilson, H. (2010). Normalisation of recreational drug use among young people: Evidence about accessibility, use and contact with other drug users. //Health Sociology Review//, //19//(2), 164-175. doi: 10.5172/hesr.2010.19.2.164.

Cameron, D. (2005). Party drugs and party people: examining the ‘normalisation’ of recreational drug use in Melbourne, Australia. //International Journal of Drug Policy//, //16//(3), 161-170. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2005.02.001.

Cook, S., Bauermeister, J., Gordon-Messer, D., & Zimmerman, M. (2013). Online Network Influences on Emerging Adults’ Alcohol and Drug Use. //Journal of Youth and Adolescence//, //42//(11), 1674–1686. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9869-1.

Erickson, P., & Hathaway, A. (2010). Normalisation and harm reduction: Research avenues and policy agendas. //International Journal of Drug Policy//, //21//(2), 137-139. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.11.005.

Hanson, D., Maycock, B., & Lower, T. (2001). Weddings, parties, anything…’, a qualitative analysis of ecstasy use in Perth, Western Australia. //International Journal of Drug Policy//, //12//(2), 181-199. doi:10.1016/S0955-3959(00)00075-X.

Measham, F., & Shiner, M. (2009). The legacy of ‘normalisation’: The role of classical and contemporary criminological theory in understanding young people's drug use. //International Journal of Drug Policy//, //20//(6), 502-508. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.02.001.

Shildrick, T. (2002). Young People, Illicit Drug Use and the Question of Normalisation. //Journal of Youth Studies//, //5//(1), 35-48. doi:10.1080/13676260120111751.

Signe, R. (2012). Contested identities: Identity constructions in a youth recreational drug culture. //European Journal of Cultural Studies//, //15//(4), 513-527. doi:10.1177/1367549412442209.

Smirnov, A., Najman, J., Hayatbakhsh, R., Wells, H., Legosz, M., & Kemp, R. (2013). Young adults’ recreational social environment as a predictor of ecstasy use initiation: findings of a population-based prospective study. //Journal of Addiction//, //108//(10), 1809-1817. doi:10.1111/add.12239.

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