‘Kiddie drugs’ and controlled pleasure: Recreational use of dexamphetamine in a social network of young Australians

Abstract

Background

Problematizing “Drugs”: A Cultural Assessment of Recreational Pharmaceutical Use among Young Adults in the United States

“…While there are exceptions, most notably for OxyContin, there is a general perception that irregular, episodic use of pharmaceutical drugs will not result in problems and that such drugs are no more dangerous than widely used licit drugs such as alcohol and nicotine (Quintero et al, 2006; cf. Green & Moore, 2009). …”

Pautas y problemas derivados del consumo de fármacos entre los consumidores de éxtasis en Australia

“…Generalmente los estimulantes farmacéuticos se utilizaron para paliar los efectos menos deseables del éxtasis (p. e., Estar más despierto y pensar con claridad). Investigaciones recientes indican que el consumo de dexanfetamina propicia en ocasiones un mayor policonsumo de drogas al reducir la sensibilidad ante otras drogas (incluyendo el alcohol), lo cual aumenta los daños derivados de dicho consumo (p.e., conducir embriagado, daños agudos asociados a las drogas y al alcohol) 55 . El daño potencial de los estimulantes farmacéuticos en el policonsumo de drogas exige una atención concreta y campañas educativas dirigidas a los clientes de discotecasLos amigos y los traficantes de drogas son las principales fuentes de fármacos que se obtienen sin prescripción, como se ha visto en otros estudios sobre la población asistente a las discotecas 11 y sobre los consumidores de éxtasis 22 .…”

“…Typically, pharmaceutical stimulants were used to mask the less desirable effects of ecstasy (e.g., To make you more alert and think clearly). Recent research suggests dexamphetamine use may facilitate greater polydrug use by reducing sensitivity to other drugs (including alcohol), which may increase the harms associated with such use (e.g., driving while intoxicated, acute drug-and alcohol-related harm) 55 . The potentially harmful role of pharmaceutical stimulants in polydrug use is an area which requires specific attention in education campaigns aimed at clubbers.…”

Somadril and edgework in South Sulawesi

“…Students also recreationally took PPDs with alcohol, claiming that they made them feel more social and ‘under control’ (DeSantis et al, 2010, p. 164). Green and Moore (2009) reported similar reasons for PPD use among middle-class young people in Western Australia, with ‘dexies’ (pills containing dexamphetamine) allowing their informants to ‘drink like a trooper while maintaining bodily control’ and to ‘enjoy socializing for longer periods without getting too messy’. Female informants also reported feeling safer and more in control when using dexamphetamine (Green & Moore, 2009, p. 408).…”