The current debate in Australia about the heroin crisis is centred on the drug, and the high cost to individuals and society of its addiction. It is an emotional debate based on fear and fuelled by myths. The picture of a junkie who is shooting up in a dirty alleyway is a potent theme in these myths. (Alcorn and Brady 1999) In the article "Heroin - the Bogyman of the Frightened '90s", the authors outline some of these myths and how they dominate the current debate on the heroin crisis. The article attempts to counteract the myths with the facts in an effort to place heroin use in a broader sociological context.
The mythology of a 'junkie' finds its origins in Grand Theories. These theories paint a broad picture based on the individual drug user as being immoral, sick or deficient in some way labelling the i
ALCORN, G. and BRADY, N. (1999) 'Heroin - the bogyman of the frightened '90s'
Hamilton, M., Kellehear, A., and Rumbold, G. (Ed) Drug Use in Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
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