RISK ENVIRONMENT AND THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF PROBLEMATIC DRUG USE AMONGST YOUNG MEN IN A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBOURHOOD IN MAKASSAR, INDONESIA

Abstract

Problematic use of drugs is an important public health issue with various and intersecting consequences. This study explores the lived experience of young men in a low-income neighbourhood commonly named lorong in Makassar, Indonesia, who are dependent on drugs and suffer from various forms of drug addiction consequences e.g. psychological, financial, health, legal and social impacts. Employing qualitative-phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 problematic drug users and observation to their daily life as well as the physical and social environment of the lorong. The study found that problematic drug users live in a drug risk environment, they were deeply embedded in the street culture, risk-taking practices and drug scene within their locality. Their unemployment, the pursuing status of rewa (a local construct of masculinity), the search for instant gratification, pleasure and excitement are the context and reasons for their drug initiation, drug maintenance and escalation into problematic drug use. Informants experienced severe, multiple and intersecting consequences (psychological, financial, health, social and legal) from their problematic drugs use. Though most informants had tried to quit their problematic drug use through various methods, most relapsed due to their deep engagement in drug subculture in this locale. To enable them overcoming their problematic drug use, concerted psychological, economic, health, social programs needed to enable them to break the vicious circle of unemployment, alienation, destructive masculinity and risk-taking practices. These multiple programs should be organised to transforming problematic drug users at individual level as well as reforming their social environment.