TY - JOUR
T1 - Care, co-survival, and decency
T2 - expanding the understanding of outdoor life and smaller alcohol and drug scenes in Denmark and Norway
AU - Bach, Jonas Strandholdt
AU - Selbekk, Anne Schanche
AU - Grønnestad, Trond Erik
AU - Bye, Vilde Holan
AU - Skjong, Amanda
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Introduction: Public spaces where alcohol and other drugs are openly used and marginal citizens gather, exist in many Nordic cities. The biggest open drug scenes in the Nordic countries are in cities like Oslo and Copenhagen; however, there are smaller scenes in other cities and suburbs, centered around shed-like structures, offering some form of shelter and a designated space for marginalized people involved in heavy drug and alcohol use who hang out in public space. In this paper, we investigate, in a comparative perspective, the characteristics and functions of smaller open alcohol and drug scenes, and how their existence is negotiated in the local community and among the citizens using them. Methods and material: This article is a comparative case-study based on data from fieldwork (participating observation and interviews) carried out in two specific, yet somewhat similar, locations in Denmark and Norway between 2017 – 2022. A cross-case analysis was performed to identify commonalities and differences. Results: Smaller open alcohol and drug scenes are non-regulated spaces of ambivalence and ongoing negotiation in local communities. Based on the data across locations, they represent possibilities for informal care and community for citizens in marginalized situations. The scenes are further, across location, characterized by a mutual agreement of performing decency, e.g., not allowing minor drug sale/use. Discussion: To enable public spaces as smaller alcohol and drug scenes can play a role in reducing harm for marginalized citizens. Communication and dialogue between citizens using an open drug scene and the wider community may help reduce stigma.
AB - Introduction: Public spaces where alcohol and other drugs are openly used and marginal citizens gather, exist in many Nordic cities. The biggest open drug scenes in the Nordic countries are in cities like Oslo and Copenhagen; however, there are smaller scenes in other cities and suburbs, centered around shed-like structures, offering some form of shelter and a designated space for marginalized people involved in heavy drug and alcohol use who hang out in public space. In this paper, we investigate, in a comparative perspective, the characteristics and functions of smaller open alcohol and drug scenes, and how their existence is negotiated in the local community and among the citizens using them. Methods and material: This article is a comparative case-study based on data from fieldwork (participating observation and interviews) carried out in two specific, yet somewhat similar, locations in Denmark and Norway between 2017 – 2022. A cross-case analysis was performed to identify commonalities and differences. Results: Smaller open alcohol and drug scenes are non-regulated spaces of ambivalence and ongoing negotiation in local communities. Based on the data across locations, they represent possibilities for informal care and community for citizens in marginalized situations. The scenes are further, across location, characterized by a mutual agreement of performing decency, e.g., not allowing minor drug sale/use. Discussion: To enable public spaces as smaller alcohol and drug scenes can play a role in reducing harm for marginalized citizens. Communication and dialogue between citizens using an open drug scene and the wider community may help reduce stigma.
KW - Alkohol
KW - Marginalisering
KW - Offentlige steder
KW - Rusmiddelbrug
KW - Stigma
KW - alcohol users
KW - comparative case study
KW - drug users
KW - ethnography
KW - marginalization
KW - open drug scenes
KW - public space
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85202683332&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1233701
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1233701
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1664-0640
VL - 15
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
JF - Frontiers in Psychiatry
M1 - 1233701
ER -