Drug Users and Cannabis
Ruken MacitDrug abuse is a major social problem faced by all countries. From the past to the present, although there are many different drugs, some have a more important place than others. One of the most important drugs in the drugs trade is cannabis which is the most produced and most used drug substance in the world and in Turkey. It has a different position among other drugs because it is herbal. Over time, this feature has caused a common belief in society that it is harmless. Despite this general belief, it has been proven by many studies that cannabis causes serious damage to individuals’ physical and mental well-being. In this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 cannabis users living in the Turkish cities of Istanbul (7), Mersin (7) and Diyarbakır (6). In this context, issues such as how cannabis users experience cannabis for the first time, how they make it permanent, and what they experience under the influence of cannabis are analyzed. The conclusion reached is that friends and peers have an important role in drug use. According to the findings, the first experience and the experience when they get high provides important information on drug use. This information is thought to be effective in fighting drug abuse.
Uyuşturucu Madde Kullanıcıları ve Esrar
Ruken MacitUyuşturucu madde kullanımı bütün ülkelerin karşılaştığı önemli bir sosyal problemdir. Geçmişten günümüze, birçok farklı uyuşturucu madde bulunmakla birlikte, bazı uyuşturucu maddelerin diğerlerine göre daha önemli bir yeri olduğu görülmektedir. Uyuşturucu ticaretinde önemli bir yeri olan esrar, dünyada ve Türkiye’de en çok kullanılan ve en çok üretilen uyuşturucu maddedir. Bitkisel olmasından dolayı esrarın diğer uyuşturucu maddeler içerisinde farklı bir konumu vardır. Zaman içerisinde bu özelliği toplumda zararsız olduğuna dair yaygın bir inanca neden olmuştur. Bu genel inanışa karşın, esrarın bireylerin fiziksel ve zihinsel yapılarında geri dönüşümü olmayan ciddi zararlara neden olduğu birçok araştırma tarafından kanıtlanmıştır. Bu araştırmada da İstanbul (7), Mersin (7) ve Diyarbakır (6)’da yaşayan 20 esrar kullanıcısı ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Bu bağlamda, esrar kullanıcılarının esrar maddesiyle olan ilk deneyimleri, ilk kullanımdan sürekli hale nasıl geldikleri ve esrarın etkisi altında olmanın onlar için ne ifade ettiği konuları analiz edilmiştir. Esrar kullanıcılarının uyuşturucu madde kullanımında arkadaş ve akran etkisinin önemli bir rolü olduğuna dair görüşlere ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgulara göre, kullanıcıların ilk deneyimleri ve esrarın etkisi altında iken yaşadıkları uyuşturucu madde kullanımı ile ilgili önemli bilgiler sunmaktadır. Elde edilen bilgilerin uyuşturucu madde ile mücadelede etkili olacağı düşünülmektedir.
Cannabis is among the most widely used of all psychoactive drugs. Despite the fact that its possession and use is illegal in most countries, cannabis is used regularly by as many as 20 million people in the United States and Europe, and by millions more in other parts of the world (Iversen, 2000, p. 2). It is the most commonly seized drug, accounting for about eight out of ten seizures in Europe, and reflecting its relatively high prevalence of use (EMCDDA, 2015, p. 20). The area of our research is Turkey which has a long history of cannabis use, dating back thousands of years. There is even a saying in Turkish, “It is herbal and has no sin”, which is often used for cannabis. As this statement implies, there is a more tolerant point of view in Turkish society. Despite this general belief, much damage to the brain and body is done by cannabis and this has been proven by much research. The use of cannabis after a certain period of time is indicated by research and leads to the development of tolerance and dependence. Furthermore, with regular use, cannabis addiction can increase long-term health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and cancer (Hall, Renström & Poznyak, 2016, p. 24). Research shows that cognitive functions, mental disorder, suicide risk and attempted suicide are the main results of long-term cannabis use. In addition to these harmful effects, some studies (Timberlake, 2009; NIDA, 2017) emphasize the fact that cannabis is the substance of transition to other drugs. This is because cannabis allows young people to meet the subculture of cannabis and eliminate the shyness of using other substances (Çakmak et al., 2004). In this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 cannabis users living in the Turkish cities of Istanbul (7), Mersin (7) and Diyarbakır (6). The primary reason for the selection of these cities is the high rate of cannabis use in Turkey. In addition, the different socio-economic, cultural and cosmopolitan structures of these cities are important and give a wider scope to the research. In this context, issues such as how cannabis users experience cannabis for the first time, how they make it permanent, and what they meant to feel under the influence of cannabis are analyzed. As has been stated in many studies (Becker, 1963; Akers, 1998) friends, their peers, and the social environment have great importance for individuals who start using cannabis. In this study, all of the participants stated that they experienced cannabis for the first time in a group of friends. They wanted to try the drug substance by being influenced by social relationships and in interaction with other individuals. Certain conditions affect whether or not individuals go on to become regular users of cannabis after their first experience of use. . Getting hold of the drugs is the first step in becoming a regular user. If the individual who experiences the drug after the first time cannot easily obtain the drug, its use becomes irregular. Continuity usually begins with availability in the supply of the drugs. Another point in the study is that “getting high” has an important role in a cannabis users’ life. In this process, the users intend to relax by avoiding their anxiety and problems. However, their mood changes from individual to individual. Some participants laugh while some participants cry and become melancholy. According to the information obtained from the study, this variability is based on the different psychological structures of the individuals and their current mental state. As a result, cannabis use is a major social problem in Turkey and in the world. The information obtained from the research is thought to be effective in the fight against drugs.
