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Is Hong Kong Experiencing Normalization of Adolescent Drug Use? Some Reflections on the Normalization Thesis

NCJ Number
217694
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 41 Issue: 14 Dated: 2006 Pages: 1967-1990
Author(s)
Nicole W. T. Cheung; Yuet W. Cheung
Date Published
2006
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether the normalization thesis can be applied to analyze the situation of adolescent drug use in Hong Kong.
Abstract
Results of this examination showed that the case of Hong Kong offers only partial support to the normalization thesis. The extent of normalization of adolescent recreational drug use in Hong Kong appears to be smaller than those in Western societies like the United Kingdom. In conclusion, while the strength of the normalization thesis in accounting for increasing drug use among young people today is appreciated, the question is raised that recognition of possible cultural differences may be complementary to the normalization thesis. The normalization thesis points at three major aspects of the normalization phenomenon which is the rapid increase of the prevalence of drug use in young people, the widespread popularity of recreational drug use that is closely linked with the recent arrival of dance club culture, and a receptive attitude towards drug use as a normal part of leisure. With the upsurge of consumption of party drugs among adolescents in recent years in Hong Kong, this study examined the extent to which normalization of drug use among young people might be observable in Hong Kong and examined whether the risk society mentality (sense of uncertainty and control belief) is useful in predicting drug use as suggested by the normalization thesis. Tables and references