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Causes of Illicit Drug Use
Although these drugs are addictive, it is a mistake to focus entirely
on their pharmacology. Their social context has a great deal to do with
whether or not they produce harm. Evidence of this can be seen when
you search in PubMed's MeSH Database under the phrase "substance
use disorders" -- social
problems comes up, along with substance-related
disorders. A classic public health approach (agent - host - environment)
should be employed in dealing with illicit drugs.
As sociologist Troy Duster once observed, drugs are a cottage industry
for the poor. Poverty, compounded by lack of social connectedness and
institutional racism, fosters a culture of illicit drug use among African
American youth.
Additionally, San Francisco has a unique history as a focal point for
drug experimentation during the 1960s (and beyond), and the City's large
gay communitiy that is currently experiencing an methamphetamine epidemic.
