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Interaction rituals in an open drug scene
University of Stavanger, Norway.
University of Stavanger, Norway.
Malmö University, Sweden. (Migration och socialt arbete)ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9304-2792
2020 (English)In: Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, ISSN 1455-0725, E-ISSN 1458-6126, Vol. 37, no 1, p. 86-98Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Aims: Open drug scenes can be found in most major cities in Europe. Despite often being closeddown by the police, the drug community continues to exist, and the drug scenes reappear elsewhere. There seem to be forces that hold these communities together, regardless of the substances used. In this study we explore whether interaction rituals have an impact on the decision bypeople to stay in the drug scene or to return after quitting their drug use. Method: In this ethnographic study, one of the researchers spent time in an open drug scene in a Norwegian city overa one-year span and gathered data on the human interactions hosted by this scene. In addition, theresearcher interviewed eight people from the scene to obtain greater insight into their lives andperceptions of the scene, drawing on Goffman’s and Collins’s theories about rituals. Findings:Three themes emerged. First, drug users bonded as a group and resisted what they called “normal people” passing by. Second, users demonstrated the importance of sharing drugs and services andadhering to the scene’s rules of conduct. The third and final theme is the focus of attention and theproduction of emotional energy. Conclusion: The experience of being outsiders and the need tohide some of their activities seemed to make it necessary for persons in the drug scene to havetheir own rules and rituals. These rules and rituals can be regarded as “interaction rituals”. They provide participants with the symbols of group membership, emotional energy, and group solidarity. This makes it hard to leave the scene and might explain why those who do often return.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2020. Vol. 37, no 1, p. 86-98
Keywords [en]
ethnography, illicit drug use, open drug scene, rituals
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Sciences, Social Work
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-102069DOI: 10.1177/1455072519882784OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-102069DiVA, id: diva2:1543275
Available from: 2021-04-10 Created: 2021-04-10 Last updated: 2021-04-22Bibliographically approved

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Lalander, Philip

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Citation style
  • apa
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  • Other style
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  • de-DE
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  • nn-NB
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Output format
  • html
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