Russian criminal culture among drug-addicted former soviet union immigrants in Israel. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liat, Yakhnich
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse. Volume 18:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Culture -- drug addiction -- immigrants; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Minorities -- Substance use -- Periodicals; Ethnicity -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- United States -- Periodicals; Minorities -- Substance use -- United States -- Periodicals; Ethnicity -- United States -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- ethnology -- Periodicals; 362.29089
• DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2017.1331148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1533-2640

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article explores the cultural context of substance abuse among drug-addicted Former Soviet Union (FSU) immigrants in Israel. Using a qualitative approach, it focuses on immigrant users' affiliation with the Russian criminal culture. The data analysis elicited a number of themes, including the key components of this culture, its attitude toward drug consumption, and its role in the users' lives and rehabilitation. It is argued that drug-addicted immigrants suffer multiple marginalization. Their affiliation with the ethnic criminal subculture serves as a defense reaction that protects their identities and grants them a sense of mastery not afforded in the wider society.