| Definition:
Ethnography is the use of direct observation and
extended fieldwork to provide a "thick description"
of groups or cultures.
As an ethnographic tabulation of drug use and crime
in South West Sydney, Running the Risks is a valuable
contribution to our overall understanding of the heroin
drug scene in Sydney. The sample of 202 respondents
was drawn from Cabramatta, the acknowledged "heroin
capital" of Australia. Through facts, figures, anecdotes,
quotes and observations, a picture of the Cabramatta
drug sub-culture emerges very differently from that
portrayed by the media. In a non-judgemental presentation,
one is initiated into the feelings and attitudes accompanying
facts and figures.
Every aspect of the lifestyle of the sample group
is covered:
-
measures
and prices of heroin
-
methods
of acquisition
-
methods
of use
-
risk
taking behaviour
-
diseases
-
sources
of income
-
heroin
networks at street level
-
ethnicity
-
crime
-
police
presence and intervention.
The blend of data, statistics and personal accounts
from the respondents builds a profile of a marginalised
sub-culture. This book is particular relevant in light
of the new policies on the need exchange program and
the law and order circus:
-
difficulties
involved obtaining clean equipment
-
threat
of police presence fuelling risky behaviour
-
misconceptions
through lack of education
-
suspicion
of authority
-
current
NSW police concentration on law enforcement as
opposed to order maintenance resulting in a number
of negative consequences such as criminal charges
being laid rather than discretionary powers being
exercised.
Reading Running the Risks broadened my own experience
and taught me aspects of heroin addiction I had not
previously contemplated.
The authors, researchers, NDARC and all who contributed
to this treatise are to be congratulated for very
fine fieldwork being made so accessible to anyone
interested in educating themselves with facts, tables
and respondent commentary. Also of note: The degree
of trust obviously instigated by the fieldworkers
is highly commendable.
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