In the last two decades, there seems to be a consensus between Russian physicians, sociologists, and the general public, that drug addiction should be considered a serious and threatening social problem. The authorities, however, are unable to stop the increasing numbers of drug users. Meanwhile, as Ia. I. Gilinskii put it, social deviations are “the mirror of social realities”, and the power structure should not avoid looking in it. Drug addiction became a major social problem, for which no one-sided solution is acceptable. The attempts to approach the topic from the narrow viewpoint of some sociological or medical theory usually fail – as do the methods of plain administrative repression. The terms narkotik, narkoman, narkomaniia, narkotizm are applied in a somewhat simplified manner (as an unambiguous social evil), and it further complicates the understanding of an already difficult phenomenon. There is also a clear lack of attention towards social, psychological, economic and other incentives for an individual to take drugs.
Therefore, the need for a more synthetic and complex approach is obvious, and in search for it we should also look at the developments in the past and the history of drug addiction in Russia.
The focus of this paper is on the early Soviet period of Russian history (ca. 1917-1929) and on the medical texts of that period. My aim will be to look at early Soviet medical texts related to recreational drugs to show how physicians described the causes of drug addiction – and thus contributed to the construction of the social problem. The causes of the problem are especially important and relevant for the medical discourse, as the etiology of disease often gives physicians the clue to the solutions and treatment. Accordingly, the origins of drug addiction as described in early Soviet medical texts greatly influenced the understanding of drug addicts and practical narcotic policy among the medical community – and also beyond (as physicians tried to achieve symbolic domination). In particular, I want to consider three large groups of potential causes that were detected by early Soviet physicians: socio-political (such as war or revolution), economical (like capitalism or foreign trade), and other (it includes various causes on the macro- and micro-scale alike that range from regime of prohibition to sexual frustration to the use of drugs za kompaniiu).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Russia
- The Construction of Drug Addiction as a Social Problem
- Causes of Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Medical Texts
- Conclusion (Not included in this preview)
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to examine early Soviet medical texts on recreational drug use to understand how physicians described the causes of addiction and, consequently, contributed to constructing drug addiction as a social problem. The focus is on the period 1917-1929, a time when drug addiction became a newly recognized social issue in Russia.
- The emergence of drug addiction as a social problem in early Soviet Russia.
- The role of Soviet physicians in defining and framing drug addiction.
- The causes of drug addiction as identified in early Soviet medical literature.
- The influence of socio-political and economic factors on drug addiction.
- The evolution of medical discourse on drug addiction in the early Soviet period.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by highlighting the current recognition of drug addiction as a serious social problem in Russia, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach that considers historical context. It critiques the lack of historical perspective in contemporary studies and underscores the importance of examining the past to understand present-day challenges. The author points out the under-representation of the "darker" aspects of 20th-century Russian history in Soviet historiography.
Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Russia: This chapter explores the relative obscurity of drug addiction in late Imperial Russia, noting its prevalence mainly among elite artistic circles and the absence of significant government intervention. It then contrasts this with the dramatic shift following World War I, the collapse of the empire, and subsequent revolutions, which led to a surge in drug addiction and its "democratization," affecting broader segments of society. The chapter lays the foundation for understanding the emergence of drug addiction as a significant social problem during this period.
The Construction of Drug Addiction as a Social Problem: This section analyzes the role of physicians as powerful "claims-makers" in constructing drug addiction as a social problem. It discusses how they moved beyond purely medical understandings to generate moral panic through alarming pronouncements, exemplified by the 1923 conference declaration characterizing cocaine abuse as an epidemic. The chapter highlights the inherent advantages for physicians in medicalizing drug addiction—gaining symbolic dominance and access to government funding for their research and initiatives.
Causes of Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Medical Texts: This chapter delves into the primary focus of the research, examining early Soviet medical texts to uncover how physicians described the causes of drug addiction. It identifies three major categories of causes presented in the literature: socio-political (war, revolution), economic (capitalism, foreign trade), and other factors (ranging from prohibition to sexual frustration to social pressures). The chapter analyzes the evolution of these perspectives within medical texts, moving from individual case studies towards broader social analyses employing statistical methods.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Drug addiction, early Soviet Russia, medical texts, social problem, physicians, claims-making, moral panic, socio-political factors, economic factors, historical context, historiography, medicalization.
Frequently Asked Questions: Early Soviet Medical Texts on Drug Addiction
What is the main topic of this text preview?
This preview summarizes a research paper examining early Soviet medical texts (1917-1929) on recreational drug use. It focuses on how physicians described the causes of addiction and their role in constructing drug addiction as a significant social problem in early Soviet Russia.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the emergence of drug addiction as a social problem in early Soviet Russia, the role of Soviet physicians in defining and framing it, the causes of addiction as identified in medical literature (socio-political, economic, and other factors), the influence of socio-political and economic factors, and the evolution of medical discourse on drug addiction during this period.
What is the methodology of the research?
The research analyzes early Soviet medical texts to identify how physicians described the causes of drug addiction. It categorizes these causes and traces the evolution of perspectives within the medical literature, noting a shift from individual case studies to broader social analyses using statistical methods.
What are the main chapters covered in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the Introduction, a chapter on Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Russia, a chapter on the Construction of Drug Addiction as a Social Problem, and a chapter on the Causes of Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Medical Texts. The Conclusion is not included in the preview.
What is the significance of the time period (1917-1929)?
The period 1917-1929 marks a significant shift in the perception and prevalence of drug addiction in Russia. Following World War I and the Russian revolutions, drug addiction dramatically increased and affected a broader segment of society, becoming a newly recognized social issue.
What role did physicians play in defining drug addiction?
Physicians acted as powerful "claims-makers," constructing drug addiction as a social problem. They moved beyond purely medical understandings to generate moral panic, influencing public perception and advocating for increased government resources for research and initiatives. This gave them increased symbolic dominance and access to funding.
What causes of drug addiction were identified in the early Soviet medical texts?
The medical texts identified three major categories of causes: socio-political factors (war, revolution), economic factors (capitalism, foreign trade), and other factors (prohibition, sexual frustration, social pressures). The paper analyzes the changing emphasis on these different categories over time.
What is the significance of the historical context?
The paper emphasizes the importance of historical context in understanding contemporary challenges related to drug addiction. It critiques the lack of historical perspective in existing studies and highlights the under-representation of certain aspects of 20th-century Russian history in Soviet historiography.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Drug addiction, early Soviet Russia, medical texts, social problem, physicians, claims-making, moral panic, socio-political factors, economic factors, historical context, historiography, medicalization.
- Citar trabajo
- Pavel Vasilyev (Autor), 2010, Constructing the Social Problem: Causes of Drug Addiction in Early Soviet Medical Texts, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163783
