SOC 214 Lecture Notes - Harm Reduction, Crack Cocaine
Document Summary
Substance abuse panics social construction of drug scares. Created a panic and go people scared about the use of pot, would make people violent. Crack cocaine and ecstasy in the 80"s and 90"s. Moral entrepreneurs -- those who have the power and resources to create a panic. Goal: to influence society to adopt a rule, norm, law. Silences and marginalizes those who this may affect. The models of panic: the grassroots model: panic originates with us as the general public. Generates concern from public, even if mistaken, about a value based issue is generally widespread and has the attention of society in general comes to the attention of the media, politicians, political action groups, and law enforcement. Examples: 60"s in france, sex slave abduction, salam witch trials, nuclear plant in saskatchewan, the elite engineered model: ruling class orchestrates moral panics. Wealthy class (power) consciously undertake campaigns to generate concern.
