DSpace Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/10722/905292024-03-29T07:59:35Z2024-03-29T07:59:35ZChem fun’ in the Hong Kong MSM Community and Harm Reduction.Laidler, Karen AnnLowe, Kate Frances AnnLi, Ngai LingChui, Chun Wai VeldaKong, Travis Shiu KiLaw, Yik WaLau, Shttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/3409022024-03-11T10:48:09Z2023-04-16T00:00:00ZTitle: Chem fun’ in the Hong Kong MSM Community and Harm Reduction.
Authors: Laidler, Karen Ann; Lowe, Kate Frances Ann; Li, Ngai Ling; Chui, Chun Wai Velda; Kong, Travis Shiu Ki; Law, Yik Wa; Lau, S
Abstract: <p>Chem-fun’ (i.e. chem-sex) is rarely a topic which is researched from the perspective of a drug users right’s in Asia. This poster explores ‘chem-fun’ in the Hong Kong MSM community as a subcultural practice enabling us to understand the subjective pleasure and context of the user. Drawing upon two bodies of qualitative research (Lau, 2014; Laidler et al; forthcoming) , the poster documents changes in drugs use and the chem-fun scene in Hong Kong. We suggest harm reduction practices for the different stages of ‘chem-fun’ and strategies for specific drugs used in the scene enabling ‘players’ to reduce harm and play as safely as possible.<br></p>2023-04-16T00:00:00ZLong Term Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking in Southeast Asia: Politics, Policies, Practices and Populations.Lowe, KateLi, LeonaChui, VeldaLaidler, Karen Joehttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/3409002024-03-11T10:48:08Z2023-05-30T00:00:00ZTitle: Long Term Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking in Southeast Asia: Politics, Policies, Practices and Populations.
Authors: Lowe, Kate; Li, Leona; Chui, Velda; Laidler, Karen Joe
Abstract: <p>The amount of people in prison (8%) and their duration of imprisonment is globally increasing since<br>2010 (Penal Reform International, 2021).While there has been a trend towards the decriminalization<br>of drug use and possession and a decrease in the use of the death penalty for drug related offences<br>globally, the imprisonment of people involved in illegal drug markets for trafficking and production<br>continue to be a significant factor in prison population growth. Of the 11 million prisoners worldwide,<br>2.5 million of them are convicted of drug related offences (ibid). This increase in sentences of life<br>and long term imprisonment has been associated with the decline in the use of the death penalty<br>with 2020 seeing the lowest number of executions worldwide (ibid). However within South East Asia,<br>reduction in the use of the death penalty can only in part explain the increasing use of life or longterm<br>imprisonment. Data accessibility and transparency issues continue to hinder our understanding<br>of judicial and prison experiences within the region. This paper explores the evolving, yet sometime<br>stagnant, regional politics on drug use and trafficking. The polices and practise – mandatory minimum<br>sentences , pre -trial detention, drug offences as a barrier for early release and alternative measures –<br>that extend prison sentences. Moreover, the populations who continue to be disproportionally caught<br>in the net of these punitive polices – foreign nationals, those with disabilities and women. References<br>Penal Reform International, (2021) Global Prison Trends.<br></p>2023-05-30T00:00:00ZThe Trouble with KetamineLaidler, Karen JoeLi, LeonaChui, VeldaLowe, Katehttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/3409012024-03-11T10:48:08Z2023-06-07T00:00:00ZTitle: The Trouble with Ketamine
Authors: Laidler, Karen Joe; Li, Leona; Chui, Velda; Lowe, Kate
Abstract: <p>From the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, ketamine emerged as the most popular intoxicant in Hong Kong – a remarkable feature given that its consumption, globally, has been generally confined to subcultures associated with an edgy reputation for out-of-body experiences. This paper seeks to understand why ketamine, despite its global consumption patterns, came to dominate the local scene and focuses on the emergence and shifts in settings, its appeal to users, and the governmental response. We trace Hong Kong’s history with intoxicants to answer this question. Opium played a critical role in its colonial governance. It was enjoyed across social classes in adult social settings until its consumption was criminalized in 1946, at which point heroin came to dominate the market. Hong Kong’s slide into the heroin era was long-lived, concentrated among marginalized men who used and experienced the drug in isolation. Its’ appeal lay in its sedative qualities to temporarily suspend one’s troubles in time and space, and instead, submerge into a tranquil sleep. Over half a century later, heroin’s dominance waned with the rise of psychoactive drug use (ecstasy and ketamine) among young people in the context of a burgeoning night-time economy. Hong Kong’s control strategy resulted in the closure of this scene, and a diversification in consumption settings. With this shift, ketamine became the dominant drug with young consumers using in public and private settings. While the setting for use was often in a group context amongst friends, the intoxicating experience was individually felt. Its’ appeal lay in its hallucinogenic qualities whereby one temporarily transcends time and space to float with a sense of uninhibited freedom. Ketamine’s popularity at that specific moment in time, we argue, lies in tracing and comparing the use and appeal of heroin and ketamine in the context of social change in Hong Kong.</p>2023-06-07T00:00:00ZHarm Reduction: A Bottom’s Up Approach?Laidler, Karen JoeLi, LeonaChui, VeldaLowe, Katehttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/3408992024-03-11T10:48:07Z2023-05-30T00:00:00ZTitle: Harm Reduction: A Bottom’s Up Approach?
Authors: Laidler, Karen Joe; Li, Leona; Chui, Velda; Lowe, Kate
Abstract: <p>In the 1970s, Hong Kong’s methadone program was at the forefront in Asia, and was soon followed by other non-governmental harm reduction initiatives aiming to minimize the risks associated with injection use of heroin, including peer counseling and outreach. These initiatives remained within the broader abstinence treatment model and prohibitionist regime. The shift in the 1990s to psychoactive drug consumption demanded different strategies and policies, but harm reduction was beyond reach, being seen as potentially encouraging young people’s consumption of drugs and countering its longstanding zero tolerance ethos. Recently, the government has called for research to shed light on the feasibility of harm reduction strategies, responding to ongoing calls from frontline workers and government audits. The government’s position on harm reduction, however, remains steadfast, tied to the end goal of abstinence. </p><p>We uncover the possibilities and challenges of harm reduction in the abstinence and prohibitionist environs. We draw on data from our research where we have developed a local harm reduction training program for frontline workers and relevant stakeholders. The focus in our discussion is on the data collected to develop the training program, in particular, interview data with persons who use drugs and social workers about current drug use patterns, practices and problems in reducing harms/risks associated with use, and challenges the latter face in “doing” harm reduction at the frontline, organizational or larger policy levels. Our end goal is to develop a “bottom up” approach to harm reduction in the context of Hong Kong’s distinct prohibition policies.</p>2023-05-30T00:00:00Z