Drug control in comparative perspective
SOCI2078
CPD- LG.10
14:30 - 17:20
Monday
1st semester
Lecture venue
Lecture time
Offer semester
Have you ever wondered why people use drugs? In recent decades, global discourse and narratives on drug use and supply have increasingly gained the attention of politics, the media, and the public. These debates take place in both local and global arenas, given the increasingly polarizing approaches to controlling drug use, models of rehabilitation, and the evolving nature of the drug markets themselves. Our views of drug sellers and users are also shaped by stereotypes perpetuated in the media. We seek to understand why people take and sell drugs, how drug use is understood within societies, and how societies respond. In doing so, we enable students to develop a deeper critical understanding of societal issues concerning illegal drugs, crime, and how policy and practices alleviate them.
Students will explore issues around drug use, supply, and associated criminal behavior from a social and subcultural perspective, understanding how some people's drug use is disproportionately framed as 'problematic.' We explore different frameworks and approaches to governing drug use and rehabilitation around the globe. Finally, we discuss the future of drugs in our society by understanding how technology, media, and globalization shape the changing drug markets.
This course will develop a multi-disciplinary understanding of drugs in Hong Kong and elsewhere by enabling students to apply sociological, criminological, historical, and cultural perspectives to the study of drug use, drug supply, and policy responses to this 'social problem.' Students will benefit from a range of speakers, including academics who have conducted ethnographic research in drug subcultures, NGOs, and people who have used drugs (lived experience).
Develop nuanced research and theory informed understanding of drugs, drug use, drug markets and policies locally and globally.
Critically assess and engage with major drug research, theory and local and global ‘grey’ literature
Apply and assess theoretical explanations and policy findings concerning drugs, drug use, drugs markets and drug policy.
Tasks
Weighting
Written Paper
30%
Group project
20%
Examination
50%
Each week, there will be 2-3 readings that students must complete in preparation for class. In addition, there will be carefully selected additional readings, videos, and podcasts to assist students who want to delve deeper. Although no “one” text covers all the themes and issues covered, you will find the following works useful as course companions.
Coomber et al (2013). Key Concepts in Drugs and Society. London: SAGE.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2024) World Drug Report.
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2024.html
Harm Reduction International. (2022) Annual Report.
https://hri.global/publications/2022-annual-report/
Narcotics Division, Security Bureau. (2021) Three-year Plan on Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong (2021-2023). Hong Kong. https://www.nd.gov.hk/en//three_year_plan_2021_2023.html
Students are encouraged to keep up to date with relevant research on drug use, supply and policy, as well as with media coverage of drugs throughout the course, locally, regionally and globally. The below academic journals can be helpful, more resources will be given on the course outline: Asian Journal of Criminology, British Journal of Criminology, Contemporary Drug Problems, Deviant Behaviors, Journal of International Drug Policy, Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Recommended reading:
Becker, H. 1953. “Becoming a Marihuana User.” American Journal of Sociology 59(3):235-242.
Brewster, D. (2022). Cultures of Cannabis Control: An International Comparison of Policy Making. Policy Press.
Coomber, R., Moyle, L., & South, N. (2016). The Normalisation of Drug Supply: The Social Supply of Drugs as the Other Side of the History of Normalisation. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 23(3), 255-263.
Duff, C. (2008). The Pleasure in Context. International Journal of Drug Policy, 19(5), 384-392.
Linnemann, T., & Wall, T. (2013). ‘This is your face on meth’: The punitive spectacle of ‘white trash’in the rural war on drugs. Theoretical Criminology, 17(3), 315-334.
Measham, F., Newcombe, R., & Parker, H. (1994). The Normalization of Recreational Drug Use amongst Young People in North-West England. British Journal of Sociology, 45(2), 287-312.
Measham, F. (2002). “Doing Gender”-“Doing Drugs”: Conceptualizing the Gendering of Drugs Cultures. Contemporary Drug Problems, 29(2), 335-373.
Moyle, L., R. Coomber, and J. Lowther. 2013. “Crushing a Walnut with a Sledgehammer? Analysing the Penal Response to the Social Supply of Illicit Drugs.” Social & Legal Studies 22(4):553-573.
Moyle, L., Childs, A., Coomber, R., & Barratt, M. J. (2019). # Drugsforsale: An exploration of the use of social media and encrypted messaging apps to supply and access drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy, 63, 101-110.
Hong Kong focused Readings:
Joe-Laidler, K. 2005. “The Rise of Club Drug Use in a Heroin Society: The Case of Hong Kong”. Substance Use & Misuse. 40(9):1257-1278.
Laidler, K., & Hunt, G. (2008). Sit Down to Float: The Cultural Meaning of Ketamine use in Hong Kong. Addiction Research and Theory, 16(3), 259-271.
Narcotics Division, Security Bureau. (2020/21) Survey of Drug Use among Students. Hong Kong https://www.nd.gov.hk/en/survey_of_drug_use_20-21.html
Narcotics Division, Security Bureau. (2022) Public Opinion Survey on 2022 Anti-drug Publicity Measures. Hong Kong. https://www.nd.gov.hk/en/research_reports_2.html
