The Drug Discourse in Situation Stockohlm : A Critical Discourse Analysis

Using Faircloughs critical discourse analysis, this study examines how the drug discourse is constructed in the street newspaper Situation Stockholm and what role harm reduction has in the construction. Sweden has the second highest mortality rate amongst drug users in the EU. One reason for this, studies show, is the restrictive policy towards drug that’s dominating in Sweden. The study identifies four themes in the empirical material, consisting of articles in Situation Stockholm. These themes are “life with drugs”, “reasons for misuse”, “medical care” and “hopes”. The study concludes that the drug discourse in Situation Stockholm is similar to the main discourse in means of drug consumption being something abject and unwanted, but differs in the views of solutions for drug misuse, presenting harm reduction treatments as a solution. Situation Stockholm argues that harm reduction treatments should be more available for drug users. In the social practice that is the Street newspaper Situation Stockholm, the study concludes, the perspective of harm reduction instead of restriction as solution for drug misuse is articulated, but also that their user perspective articles play a small role in the order of discourse, partly due to the low status and stigmatization of drug users.