The Face of Social Suffering: The Life History of a Street Drug Addict

by Singer, Merrill

• ISBN13: 9781577664321
• ISBN10: 1577664329
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-05
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc

Summary

"This research-based, theory-driven account of the changing underground world of drug use and associated health effects covers the essential ground in a brisk, authoritative fashion. After a thorough outline of the nature and history of drug use dynamics, the author assesses the role of youth in new drug use practices, the impact of illicit drug distribution and the War on Drugs, and the public health risks of new trends in drug use behavior." "The volume provides an up-close account of the social worlds of drug sellers and users and the processes of change in patterns of drug consumption. Additionally, it considers mechanisms for effective public health response to emergent health risks associated with changing drug use patterns. Because Merrill Singer carefully explains all technological terms, uses clarifying examples, and avoids jargon, readers will walk away from this volume with a deeper grasp of this social problem; with appreciation for how change figures into drug use practices; and with knowledge of key social, cultural, political-economic, criminal justice, and health factors."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
A Life on the Edge	1	(18)
Into a Life	3	(2)
Knowing Other Lives	5	(2)
The History of Life History	7	(4)
The Theoretical Orientation of the Book	11	(3)
Hooking Up with Tony	14	(1)
Organization of the Book	15	(4)
Into the World: of Drugs and Families	19	(18)
Bloodlines	21	(1)
Early Years: Like Father Like Son	22	(3)
The God of Dreams	25	(2)
Denizens of Hell's Kitchen	27	(4)
Breaking the Family Circle	31	(2)
Omens of Things to Come	33	(4)
On the Prowl: Preteen Years	37	(20)
The Political Economy of Life	39	(2)
Street Youth	41	(3)
Enter Dope	44	(3)
The History of H	47	(3)
Harsh Lessons	50	(2)
Guilty	52	(5)
Becoming a Dope Dealer	57	(20)
Demonization	59	(3)
Back in the World	62	(6)
Running a Block	68	(3)
Caught	71	(3)
Everyday Violence	74	(3)
Into Ganglife	77	(22)
Explaining Gangs	79	(6)
Finding Love	85	(3)
A Trip to the Island	88	(2)
Men of Tomorrow	90	(9)
Out of Ganglife	99	(16)
Grave Consequence	101	(2)
Illicit Enterprise	103	(4)
The Same Thing Over and Over	107	(4)
Lessons in Lives	111	(4)
Drugs and Romance in the Time of AIDS	115	(26)
I Want to Live	117	(3)
HIV/AIDS	120	(5)
Stigmatization	125	(2)
The Street Drug Scene	127	(4)
Lovers and Other Strangers	131	(5)
Today	136	(5)
The Meaning of a Life	141	(16)
Shalimar the Clown	143	(1)
The Individual	144	(1)
The Social Milieu	145	(3)
The Structure	148	(7)
Interplay	155	(2)
References	157	(12)
Index	169