Beschaffung, Handel und Konsum illegaler Drogen im Strafvollzug - Eine Situationsanalyse -

Drug consumption is a voluntary decision based on preexisting situational contexts, social events, personal traits and cultural circumstances. Because of this, drug consumption is not pathological but rather normal and ubiquitous. It is only as a result of persecution by the authorities of social control that drug users develop deviant behavior. This is why anomy is not the cause but the consequence of illegal drug use.Through persecution and incarceration the drug user starts to develop negative identity awareness, thus perceiving himself as addicted and as a criminal. Due to the criminalization and the associated persecution, criminalization and imprisonment of the drug-addicted subject is assigned to the drug subculture. The associated stigma lets the subject develop a self-identity which corresponds to the constructed perception. It perceives itself as being addicted and identifies any discomfort as withdrawal symptoms that can only be alleviated by further drug use.As a result of prolonged incarceration in the German penal system dependence patterns are consolidated, thus making all attempts of a return to civil society futile. It is necessary to change drug policy now. A case management with integrated motivational interviewing can help the drug users to develop new perspectives for their lives instead leading them into misery.