Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: While many experts believe the use of “club drugs”, i.e. 3-4, methlendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA / “Ecstasy”), gamma hydoxybutyrate, (GHB), ketamine (Special K), methamphetamine (Meth or Crank), cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, (LSD), and marijuana, is limited according to social setting and population demographics, non-traditional drug surveillance mechanisms indicate otherwise. In the last five years “club drug” markets and corresponding economic structure have evolved beyond everyone’s imagination. Although despite this awareness, contemporary social drug epidemiological efforts remain limited in scope and unable to assess the nature and impact, if any, such market changes have had on “local” drug using populations. Specifically, how such changes have impacted women of color has been largely ignored until now. In an effort to enhance our understanding and contextualize such critical changes 30 in-depth multi-stage life history interviews were conducted with a targeted community sample of multi-ethnic/racial women in Florida. Key dimensions analyzed include childhood, adolescent and adult experiences, deviant and criminal (offender) experiences, victimization, risk-management techniques, and the role of club culture in their lives. In addition, a basic demographic profile for each woman will be provided. Implications of findings for both “club drug” markets and “club drug” economy are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Club kids frequent clubs with a carnivalesque atmosphere – full of loud music, sporadic lighting, dance and high on drugs - as a means of having fun and escaping the unsatisfying daily life a commercialized and consumed society creates. Carnival spaces become increasingly necessary within highly commercialized, consumed and commodified societies. Such societies create daily lives that are empty of deep, fulfilling content. Carnival spaces provide individuals with controlled hedonistic experiences without threatening or attempting to overthrow the society. In fact, such spaces facilitate the growth of commodified societies since participants can easily escape during carnival to another highly consumed and commercialized culture, and return to their work or school life once it is over. Based on 45 different observations at a variety of clubs and venues along the East Coast of the US (totaling 200 hours in the field) from March 2004 and June 2005, and 18 in depth tape-recorded interviews of club kids (club drug users who frequent dance venues) encountered in the field , this paper will describe the carnival. Paying particular attention to the party themes, music, lighting effects, dancing styles and drug use at clubbing spaces, I will illustrate how clubbing provides a temporary escape based on excess, transgression and concentrated on fun.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper will present the findings of a study of British clubbers comparing the polydrug repertoires of customers at a range of clubs in the North West of England distinguished by their different sub-genres of dance music and stylistic associations. This allows a consideration of the relationship between music, dance, the pharmacology of club drugs and the desires and realities of polydrug management for users, in terms of pleasure maximisation, harm minimisation and enhancement of the overall clubbing experience. The authors argue that the UK is witnessing a new wave of criminalisation of clubbing communities and recreational drug users through both legislation and policing which disproportionately stigmatises and criminalises specific cultural and stylistic groups resulting in resistance both on the streets and in online clubbing communities. Particular attention is paid to the process of criminalisation of ketamine use in the UK with ketamine's inclusion as a Class C substance through an amendment to the UK 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act in 2006. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of virtual methodologies to facilitate improved sampling, response rates, discussion groups, informed consent, ethics and dissemination in club studies such as this will be explored.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Abstract

In this paper the meanings that participating in contemporary club spaces in Wellington have for clubbers, are analysed in terms of pleasure and risk. The development of clubbing in Wellington is charted looking at musical styles that influenced the ‘scene’ or ‘scenes’. The use of illicit drugs such as ecstasy and methamphetamine within club spaces is examined, as is the use of ‘herbal highs’ . An ethnographic study using in-depth interviews and an online survey was carried out to investigate how clubbers view their own participation on club scenes, and their use of illicit drugs such as ecstasy. The data suggests that a majority of clubbers interviewed and surveyed use illegal drugs when clubbing, although a small group stated that they did not engage in this activity, and objected to the stereotype of clubbers as illegal drug users. The data further suggests that music, style, socialising and ‘fun’ are all important to those who use club spaces, and that if illegal drug use is present in this context, it is part of an overall package of clubbing, not the main reason why young people choose to participate in the club ‘scene’ or ‘scenes’.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper responds to George Ritzer's response to a review symposium of his new book, The Globalization of Nothing, published in Thesis Eleven 76, 2004. Ritzer takes the main criticism of his new book to concentrate on the insufficiency of his marxist credentials. In this paper I follow this cue to discuss the question of the influence of the romantic and melancholic critique of capitalism and modernity. What draws Weber in the direction of Marx in this regard is the influence of romanticism, which arguably influences all of subsequent critical and social theory.