Race and medicalization of drug addiction: an analysis of documentary films
Date
2010-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The purpose of our research is to investigate the relationship between
medicalization and explanations of drug addiction by race. Medicalization refers to
the process through which everyday behavior and traits are classified and/or treated as
medical conditions (Conrad 2005). If medicalized, addiction could be treated through
medical therapies rather than the criminal justice system. Advancements since the
1980s claim addiction is related to an individual’s biological and psychological
characteristics (Leshner 1997). Our research will explore the extent to which
minorities are excluded from these medicalized narratives of drug addiction and are,
alternatively, discussed using criminalized ones. We content analyzed 25
documentary films (mean length of 60 minutes each) spanning nearly15 years to shed
light on medicalization and race in drug addiction. Our research found definite
patterns in drug addiction narratives by race: whites were more often discussed via
medicalized narratives and minorities were under-represented, leading to a gap in
addiction narratives for them. Results suggest a persistent racial inequality in drug
abuse and addiction research and pinpoints possible negative consequences for
minorities.