AEGiS-14IAC: Capturing the Illusion of Injecting Drug Use Cultures: an ethnographic approach.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Capturing the Illusion of Injecting Drug Use Cultures: an ethnographic approach.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrE1357)

Slavin S
National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

BACKGROUND: Considerable interest has emerged in Western countries in recent years in 'cultures' of injecting drug use. Social researchers increasingly employ ethnographic methods and anthropological analyses to investigate and interpret these 'cultures' in order to identify risk practices and the reasons for them.

METHODS: Ethnographic research was conducted for 18 months from September 2000, among functional, recreational injecting drug users (IDU) in inner Sydney. IDU (n=25) were interviewed using an open ended interview schedule. Factors associated with injecting were recorded using eclectic fieldwork practices such as observation and reflexive participation. These factors include: social networks; technologies of injection; discourses of pleasure; geographies of injection; ritualisation; types of drugs; and police surveillance. Content analysis was used to identify risks for HIV and hepatitis C infection as well as other risks associated with illicit drug use. The social aspects of behaviours were analysed for evidence of overarching cultural forms.

RESULTS: Injection as a mode of drug administration does not give rise to cultural forms or significant identity development among this group. Injecting practices are located within a variety of existing cultural forms that intersect with injecting practices, types of drugs used, social networks, geographies and identities. Injection rarely signifies more than the most efficacious form of drug administration. More generally it is a consumptive practice not a productive one. The meaning of injecting practices for this group exists in relation to other cultural forms, practices and identities (such as gay subcultures) and does not constitute a cultural form or identity in itself or in isolation.

CONCLUSIONS: Injecting drug use must be located within broader cultural, social and economic forms if the risks associated with it are to be correctly understood and addressed.

Keywords: AEGIS, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Culture, HIV Infections, Homosexuality, Male, HIV Seropositivity, Hepatitis C, Illusions, Demography, Male, Ethnology, utilization

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