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You are what you smoke

March 20, 2001

People use cannabis because it is part of their social identity, not just because they find it enjoyable, according to a paper in a symposium presented today, Saturday 31 March, to The British Psychological Society's Centenary Annual Conference, held at the SECC, Glasgow, by Professor Richard Hammersley of the University of Wales, Swansea.

Although drugs do have chemical effects, Professor Hammersley described how social factors were important in people's use of alcohol and drugs. Professor Hammersley explained that people who use cannabis may no longer be seen as deviant, but that cannabis use is often seen as social, informal, unconventional and a welcome break from respectable life. But there are potentially serious risks if drug use is discovered. This means that people may not admit use and usually smoke only with trusted friends. However, Professor Hammersley commented that cannabis use is so common that young people who wish to avoid cannabis would have to shun all social gatherings such as parties or gigs.

Finally, when people are caught using drugs, they tend to use standard social apologies - 'I didn't enjoy it', 'I didn't inhale', 'It was only once' etc. Professor Hammersley suggested that these standard social apologies are also used by respectable or public people, including politicians.

Professor Hammersley's research into cannabis was echoed by related papers about other addictions. Jim Orford, of the University of Birmingham, commented that alcohol use was a social event, Kenneth Mullen, or the University of Glasgow, suggested that men use drugs and alcohol as part of masculinity, while Marie Reid, of the University of Wales, and Jennifer Burr, of the University of Sheffield, discussed how trying to be in control of eating was part of femininity.

British Psychological Society (BPS)

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