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Anslinger, Harry J. and Courtney Ryley Cooper, "Marijuana: Assassin
of Youth." American Magazine July, 1937. Pp. 64-69 in James
A. Inciardi and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los
Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1998.
1. There are numerous stereotypes about marijuana use, its users, and its effects either stated or
implied in this article. Identify and describe these stereotypes.
2. What are some of the "word pictures" the authors use to describe marijuana, users of
marijuana, and the effects of use?
3. How do the images presented here compare and/or contrast with your understanding of
marijuana use?
4. What does this suggest about popular stereotypes of drugs and drug use today?
Lyttle, Thomas, "Misuse and Legend in the 'Toad Licking' Phenomenon."
The International Journal of the Addictions 28:6:521-538 (1993). Pp.
205-215 in James A. Inciardi and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug
Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1998.
1. What is "toad licking?"
2. From where did the toad licking phenomenon originate?
3. Describe the "epidemic" of toad licking reported in the media. Describe the media reporting of
this phenomenon.
4. What was the effect of this "epidemic."
5. Describe the accuracy of the news reporting about this epidemic.
Waldorf, Dan, "Becoming a Heroin Addict" from Careers in Dope.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall (1973). Pp. 94-104 in James A. Inciardi
and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Press, 1998.
1. Generally, what is the purpose of this article?
2. How do Waldorf's findings support and/or refute popular stereotypes of how people become
initiated into heroin use?
3. How does Waldorf describe the social setting of initial heroin use?
4. Describe the typical "history" of drug use of heroin initiates.
5. Describe the motives for experimenting with heroin.
6. Describe the process by which heroin addicts eventually become addicted.
7. Describe the typical pattern of drug use among heroin addicts, both with regard to (a) types of drugs used; and (b) periods of abstinence and relapse.
Murphy, Shiegla and Dan Waldorf, "Kickin' Down to the Street
Doc: Shooting Galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area" Contemporary Drug
Problems 18:9-29 (1991). Pp. 268-276 in James A. Inciardi, and
Karen McElrath (eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles:
Roxbury Publishing Co., 1995.
1. Describe the "shooting galleries" that were the subject of research in this
study. The authors develop a two-fold typology of shooting galleries. Identify
the two "types" of shooting galleries and describe their respective features.
2. Why do people use these shooting galleries?
3. What type of drug users typically use shooting galleries?
4. Describe the hygiene in shooting galleries.
5. Based on the information in this article (who uses galleries, hygiene, motivations
for use, etc.) what policy initiatives would seem to be most effective in containing
the spread of HIV among drug addicts. (E.g., eliminating all shooting galleries?
Free needle programs? Education programs? Some combination? Etc.)
Rosenbaum, Marsha, Patricia Morgan and Jerome E. Beck, "Ethnographic
Notes on Ecstasy Use Among Professionals." International Journal on Drug
Policy 1 (1989). Pp. 189-193 in James A. Inciardi and Karen McElrath
(eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1995.
1. What is ecstasy?
2. Describe, broadly, the methodology of this study and the larger study of
which it is a part.
3. What are the four motives that the authors describe for the use of ecstasy
by professionals?
4. The authors describe how professional users of ecstasy organize their drug
use, from planning to follow through. Describe each of the steps in this process.
5. Based on what you have learned so far about street heroin use, what are the similarities and differences between street users of heroin and professional users of ecstasy. Speak especially to the social differences.
Korf, Dirk J., "Cannabis Retail Markets in Amsterdam." International
Journal on Drug Policy 2 (1990). Pp. 94-99 in James A. Inciardi
and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Press, 1998.
1. Describe the legal status of marijuana in Amsterdam.
2. This study essentially reviews findings of other studies in looking at the marijuana market in Amsterdam. The author concludes that there is more than one type of market in Amsterdam. Describe the types of markets in Amsterdam, with respect to:
3. According to the author, has the Netherlands approach to marijuana policy been effective? Why or why not?
Preble, Edward and John J. Casey, "Taking Care of Business--The
Heroin User's Life on the Street." The International Journal of the Addictions
4 (March, 1969):1-24. Pp. 121-132 in James A. Inciardi and Karen McElrath
(eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1998.
1. What is the popular notion of heroin addicts that Preble and Casey describe in the introduction
to this article?
2. Describe the methodology the authors use for this study.
3. Briefly describe the nature and level of heroin use in New York City during each of the periods
identified in the article.
4. Describe the hierarchy of heroin distribution in New York City.
5. Describe the major roles in the heroin distribution network.
6. How do Preble and Casey characterize the economic careers of heroin users?
7. In the end, how does Preble and Casey's description of heroin use differ from the popular stereotypes that they present at the beginning of their article?
Morningstar, Patricia J. and Dale D. Chitwood, "How Women and
Men Get Cocaine: Sex-Role Stereotypes and Acquisition Patterns." Journal
of Psychoactive Drugs 19,2 (1987). Pp. 178-185 in James A. Inciardi
and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Press, 1998.
1. What are the two sex-role stereotypes of cocaine users discussed in this
article? Describe the reasons for and the realities of these stereotypes.
2. How were the individuals in this sample typically introduced to cocaine?
3. How did these respondents typically support themselves?
4. What were the typical ways in which these respondents acquired their drugs?
5. What do the authors conclude about the accuracy of the sex-role stereotypes
of cocaine users?
6. Speculate as to how the economy of cocaine use might change if these drugs were legal, or controlled such as marijuana is in the Netherlands.
Nurco, David N., Timothy W. Kinlock and Thomas E. Hanlon, "The
Drugs-Crime Connection." Handbook of Drug Control in the United States (James
A. Inciardi, ed.). Greenwood Press, 1991. Pp. 224-236 in James A. Inciardi
and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Press, 1998.
1. Describe, in general terms, the controversy about the relationship between drug use and crime.
2. Identify the deficiencies in prior studies of this relationship as pointed out by the authors.
3. Describe the "crime days per year at risk" concept developed by these authors. How is it
better than other methodologies?
4. Describe the types of narcotics addicts discussed by the authors.
5. Describe the types and extent of drug related crime discussed in this article.
6. Based on the information in this article, what are some of the implications for (1) treatment and rehabilitation; (2) legalization; (3) other policies?
Inciardi, James A. "Heroin use and street crime." Crime and
Delinquency (July, 1979). Pp. 237-244 in James A. Inciardi and
Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Press, 1998.
1. What is the purpose of this article as stated by the author?
2. Describe the methodology used in this study, including: (1) how the sample was obtained; (2)
sample size; (3) demographic characteristics of the sample.
3. Discuss the drug use patterns and histories of the individuals in this study.
4. Discuss the criminal histories of the individuals in this study.
5. Describe the current criminal activity of the individuals in this study.
6. Based on the data in this study, what do you and/or the author conclude about the relationship between drug use and criminal activity?
Goldstein, Paul J., "The Drugs/Violence Nexus: A Tripartite Conceptual
Framework." Journal of Drug Issues (Fall, 1985). Pp. 255-262
in James A. Inciardi and Karen McElrath (eds.) The American Drug Scene.
Los Angeles: Roxbury Press, 1998.
1. Describe thoroughly the three models of the relationship between drug use and crime
presented by Goldstein. Which model does Goldstein seem to favor? Are there exceptions?
2. What is the relationship between drug use and crime that is suggested by each of these
models?
3. What are some examples of "systemic violence?"
4. Describe the difficulties and limitations of available data for determining the relationship between drug use and crime.
Nadelman, Ethan A., "Drug Prohibition in the United States: Costs,
Consequences, and Alternatives." Science (245) (September 1, 1989):
939-47. Pp. 322-335 in James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath (eds.),
The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles:
Roxbury Publishing Co., 1998.
1. What are the various "legalization options" suggested by Nadelman? Which
one do you prefer? Why?
2. Nadelman provides data and observations that suggest that prohibition efforts
are not working. What evidence does he provide to make his case? Do you agree
or disagree with either his data or interpretation of it? If so, provide your
own refuting evidence.
3. Nadelman outlines several different "costs and consequences" of prohibition.
Identify these costs, and preferably, organize them according to type
of cost (e.g., social costs, health costs, economic
costs, etc.).
4. One of the "costs" identified by Nadelman is increased crime. He describes
several linkages to increased crime as a result of prohibition. Describe these
linkages.
5. What alternatives to prohibition does Nadelman identify? Do you think they
will work? Why or why not?
6. While perhaps not totally harmless, most studies tend to find that marijuana
is comparatively harmless (as opposed to alcohol, for example). If that is the
case, why do you think the government (federal and most states and localities)
maintain a policy of prohibition?
7. If Nadelman is correct, do we simply legalize all drugs? If not, how do
we determine which drugs should be legalized and which should not? What criteria
should be used in this process?
Wilson, James Q., "Against the Legalization of Drugs." Commentary,
February, 1990. Pp. 336-344 in James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath
(eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Publishing Co., 1998.
1. This article is, in large part, a rebuttle of the arguments of the Nobel
Prize winning economist, Milton Friedman. Summarize the arguments that Friedman
makes that are being rebutted here.
2. How does Wilson answer Friedman's claims about legalization with regard
to:
3. What are some of the advantages of criminalization (i.e., current
policy)?
4. Wilson argues that the number of heroin users has remained stable over the years because it is costly and difficult to obtain under a policy of prohibition. Do you think this argument can explain heroin use among individuals from middle and upper income backgrounds? Why or why not?
Reuter, Peter, "Hawks Ascendant: The Punitive Trend of American
Drug Policy." Daedalus, Summer, 1992. Pp. 345-364 in James
A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath (eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology.
Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Co., 1998.
1. Reuter uses the terms "hawks", "doves" and "owls" to describe two distinct
approaches to drug policy. What does he mean by these terms?
2. Describe both the strengths and weaknesses of each of these policy positions.
3. Describe the recent ascendancy of the "hawks" position with regard to:
4. In the author's view, how effective has the "hawks" policy been with regard to:
5. What are the social and economic costs associated with a "hawks"
policy?
6. Evaluate the consequences of the "hawks" policy, socially and otherwise.
7. Describe the philosophical basis for the "owls" strategy. Do you agree with
the authors reasoning? Why or why not?
Grinspoon, Lester and James Bakalar, "Marijuana: The Forbidden
Medicine" from Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine. Yale University Press,
1993. Pp. 100-105 in James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath (eds.), The
American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Co.,
1998.
1. Briefly describe the history of medical legalization of marijuana.
2. Describe the process through which marijuana is now approved for some patients
on a case by case basis.
3. Why is marijuana unlikely to be federally approved for medicinal purposes,
according to the authors?
4. The authors compare violations of marijuana use for medication with violations
regarding synthetic pharmaceuticals. What is the difference in official response
toward violations of these drugs? Is this difference justified?
5. The authors point out that there has been more research on marijuana than
just about any other drug known to humankind. We know more about it than just
about any other drug. Yet, if it were to be approved by the FDA, it would have
to go through a review process as though it were a totally new drug. Why? Do
you agree that this should be the case?
6. Discuss the problems created by a system of prescription drug approval which
is motivated by the potential for profit. What should be done in the case of
substances which occur naturally and can't be patented? Who should pay for extensive
testing of these substances?
Singer, Merrill, Ray Irizarry, and Jean J. Schensul, "Needle Access
as an AIDS-Prevention Strategy for IV Drug Users: A Research Perspective." Human
Organization 50,2 (1991). Pp. 284-298 in James A. Inciardi, and
Karen McElrath (eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles:
Roxbury Publishing Co., 1998.
1. What are the five questions addressed in this article?
2. How do the authors answer each of these questions?
3. This article is essentially an advocacy article for needle exchange programs.
With that in mind, it is important to carefully assess the authors' claims.
Are there any problems or counter-arguments that you might wish to make with
regard to the claims and findings of this article?
4. Why is it that needle-exchange programs tend to be so resisted in American
communities? Are these reasons valid? Why or why not?
5. If you were an advocate for needle-exchange programs, what strategies might
you use to promote such programs in communities?
McElrath, Karen, "Alcoholics Anonymous." Pp. 314-317 in
James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath (eds.), The American Drug Scene: An
Anthology. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Co., 1998.
1. Identify and comment upon the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous.
2. Identify and comment upon the twelve traditions of alcoholics anonymous.
3. Based on these steps and traditions, and what else you may know about alcoholics
anonymous, how is this program different from other approaches to drug treatment?
How is it similar?
4. The author notes that we have very little scientific knowledge of the effectiveness
of AA as a treatment modality. Why is this so? (There are several reasons.)
5. The author suggests that we have "anecdotal" evidence about its effectiveness.
Are you willing to accept such evidence? Does this evidence support or fail
to support your beliefs about the effectiveness of AA? Explain.
6. Do you believe that judges should have the authority to "court order" AA
as a treatment alternative to imprisonment?
7. What lessons might we learn from the AA approach to addressing treatment
of other sorts of drug addictions?
DeLeon, George, "The Therapeutic Community for Substance Abuse:
Perspective and Approach." From George DeLeon and James T. Ziegenfuss (eds.),
Therapeutic Communities for Addictions: Readings in Theory, Research and
Practice, 1986. Pp 301-308 in James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath
(eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Publishing Co., 1995.
1. This article describes the Therapeutic Community. Based on what
you already know, other articles, and the introduction to this section, how
is the therapeutic community different from other forms of drug treatment?
2. Describe the philosophy behind the "TC" (therapeutic community) which makes
it different from other forms of drug treatment.
3. Describe the "structure" of the TC approach.
4. Describe the basic elements which comprise the TC model.
5. Describe the process (phases, what occurs in each phase, etc.) of the TC
model.
6. There is no systematic evaluation data provided in this article. Based on
the philosophy of the program described here, do you think that the TC
should be more effective than other treatment modalities such as Methadone Maintenance
or self-help groups? (Remember: this article is written by a strong advocate
for TC's. Consult other sources on other modalities before you respond.)
7. There are several evaluation studies of the effectiveness of TC's compared
with other modes of treatment. What do these studies have to say about the relative
effectiveness of TC's?
8. TC's were initially developed for heroin and opiate addiction. Can a case
be made that they should be effective for treatment of other forms of drug addiction
as well, such as cocaine or crack? Why or why not?
9. TC's were also initially developed for male opiate addiction. Based on the description in this article and what you may know from other sources, should the TC be as effective for females? Why or why not?
Dole, Vincent P. and Marie Nyswander, "Methadone Maintenance:
A Theoretical Perspective." In Dan J. Lettieri, Mollie Sayers and helen Wallenstein
Pearson (eds.) Theories on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD: National Institute
on Drug Abuse (1980). Pp. 309-313 in James A. Inciardi, and Karen McElrath
(eds.), The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Publishing Co., 1998.
1. Describe the philosophy and methodology behind methadone maintenance (MM)
as a treatment modality.
2. A central question in the debate over appropriate treatment is: Is drug
use/addiction merely a symptom of an underlying problem, or is drug use/addiction
a major part of the problem itself? Which position does MM take on this question?
Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. There is another fundamental difference between MM and other treatment approaches--that
is one of ultimate goals of treatment. What is the ultimate goal of MM? How
does that differ from other forms of treatment such as the TC? Which do you
agree with? Explain your response.
4. MM is limited because it is a pharmacological approach to treatment that
is appropriate only for opiate addiction. On the basis of what you know about
MM, would you recommend pharmacological approaches to treaatment for other types
of addiction, such as cocaine and crack? Why or why not?
5. Is it possible that MM may be more effective for some people addicted to
opiates but not as effective for other opiate addicts? If so, for what types
of opiate addicts might MM be more effective? Less effective?
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