Abstract

CRUZ, Olga Souza  and  MACHADO, Carla. Consumo “não problemático” de drogas ilegais. Toxicodependências [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.2, pp.39-47. ISSN 0874-4890.

Illicit drug use is increasingly used by “conventional” citizens, as a form of diversion and to get pleasure. Studies suggest that various drug users are conscious about drugs’ potential harms but, taking into account their risks and benefits, decide to use them. However, they do it with some care, using some drug use management strategies, in order to minimize potential harms. The existence of drug users whose global adjustment is not significantly damaged by this practice is nowadays recognized. In this study we call them «non problematic» illicit drug users, and we intend to explain the processes by which some subjects manage their drug uses in order to keep them as so. The nine participants that integrate this study were selected through theoretic sampling and reached by a snowball strategy, being then subjected to an in-depth interview. Data were inductively analyzed, through a grounded analysis process. The main results indicate that «non problematic» illicit drug users resort to several strategies to manage their habit, namely, the control over the regularity, locations and types of drugs they use. Understanding these kinds of strategies may be an important contribution to reduce drug use potential harms and to enhance harm reduction efforts.

Keywords : Illicit Drugs; «Non Problematic» Drug Use; Drug Use Management Strategies; Harm Reduction.

        · abstract in Portuguese | French | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )