Pozdnyakova M.E., Bryuno V.V. Controlled drug use as the factor of changes in drug situation in modern Russia

Abstract

The article is based on the materials of several studies devoted to the study of a new model of drug use, which caused significant changes in the drug situation in Russia. A new trend in the narcotics situation is considered - the spread of the so-called “controlled” consumption of psychoactive substances. It is noted that representatives of different strata of population — from youth to the elderly — are involved in drugs. Materials of surveys of the able-bodied population (2013 N = 1126, 2016 N = 1337, 2017 N = 1406), as well as in-depth interviews with consumers of psychoactive substances (N = 73) indicate a significant diversity in the development of the “narcot¬ics” of consumers and a variety of consumer practices. It was revealed that in the world of drug users there is a wide range of possibilities to curb narcotics. There is a set of individual rules, practical experience, techniques that help to avoid negative consequences of consumption for a long time. It is shown that the isolated model of “controlled” consumption is not homogeneous and does not fit into a single universal scheme — each consumer uses only some of the methods, develops certain techniques and rituals of consumption independently, forming an individual strategy for controlling and containing consumption in order to avoid transition to dependence. External and internal factors influencing the nature of “controlled” consumption of drugs are determined, the ability of a person to adhere to such a model, and also determining the degree of effectiveness or risk of the strategy used by drug users. It was found that under certain conditions, regulation and control can be applied much better than in others (developed social ties, commitment to the family, work, the presence of interests, involvement in productive activities, etc.). It is shown that the spread of the phenomenon of “controlled” consumption in all sex and age groups carries significant risks, creating the illusion of consumer safety and increasing the percentage of hidden narcotization