Wednesday 25 August 2010

Stigma and Drug Users

A report published yesterday said that calling problem drug users 'junkies' or 'addicts' provides a major obstacle to their rehabilitation, because of the terms' labelling affects. The report by the UK Drugs Policy Commission said that the Government's current moves toward an abstinence based approach will not work unless underlying prejudice towards drug users is tackled. See the story in the press.

Made me think about labelling theory generally and other attempts to put it into policy. The Children's Hearing System is one obvious example, can anyone else think of any others?

For evidence of stigma towards drug users in action and the many ways in which attitudes are disseminated, see today's daily mash. Sometimes it gets it really right, sometimes really wrong.

Sunday 22 August 2010

Summer Reading Project: 24th August 2010

Just a quick reminder that this Tuesday 24th August, Ellie will be presenting chapter 7 of 'Governing Through Crime'. We will be meeting in room 406 again, at 3pm as usual.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Summer Reading Project: 10th August 2010

Our reading group meets next Tuesday at 3pm when Ioannis will give an overview of Chapter 8: 'Penalty Box: Crime, Victimization, and Punishment in the Deregulated Workplace'. Please note the change in venue to Room 406 in Old College.