Vulnerability and Police Contact: Gendered Pathways to Drug Dependence

This project would seek to form an understanding of pathways into dependence for women and men, the specific gendered differences in these experiences, as well as the place of policing experiences within these pathways. Through an investigation into the life experiences and trajectories of drug dependent men and women, I will explore how gender impacts differences in these trajectories by examining the following: understandings of harm and vulnerability; the historical influence of policing contacts and how personal and social circumstances can lead to more severe dependency. In doing so, this research will expand knowledge about how policing and state intervention for those with drug dependency can perpetuate further forms of harm.

Central to this research will be the amplification of participant voices. Dependent drug users are often stigmatised and ostracised from mainstream society. I am keen to engage in co-productive methodologies, as I am passionate about their capability to shift power dynamics. Utilising in-depth, life-history interviews with those both currently in drug treatment and the disengaged will give biographical story-telling agency to participants involved in this research.

I propose to conduct this research through a feminist abolitionist feminist perspective. An abolitionist perspective in this instance would readdress notions of harm, vulnerability and state intervention within the life courses of drug dependent individuals. This will explore the ways in which criminal justice responses to drug dependency are counterproductive to alleviating harm on individual and societal levels. Proposing this within the context of ending the carceral state and policing, and with an understanding of their key roles in perpetuating violence and harm through the enactment of drug policy and treatment of drug dependent users, will seek to explore ways of mitigating harm and supporting vulnerable people more fully through redistributive and holistic practices.

This research would highlight that the issues of gender, drug use and policing are interconnected, and that in order to address the root causes of harm, they would need to be approached in such a way. Approaching notions of vulnerability within gendered pathways to drug dependence through a feminist abolitionist lens will resist criminal justice approaches to drug use whilst exploring gender-specialist trauma informed holistic systems of care for drug-related stigma and discrimination. It would provide a critical lens to consider the specific gendered differences not only of individual life experiences, but of the interactions and implications of criminal justice intervention. Feminism abolitionism is intersectional, acknowledging not only the impact of gender on peoples lived experiences, but that race, class and disability also all have material impacts on experiences. I would include an intersectional analysis taking these social structures into account.

The most salient challenge I envisage within this study relates to ethical concerns around engaging in research with potentially vulnerable members of society. One of the main considerations here will be ensuring there is support available for participants who are engaging with this research project. This will need to be of the highest importance and put into place before any primary research is conducted. Ensuring that the research includes methods of co-production is essential in justifying the purpose of this research.