Socio-Political Scenario of Drugs and Leisure in Global Era

The use of drugs in relation to leisure is becoming a worldwide lifestyle. Drug-use and recreational practices are a common phenomena and it is a regular activity for many people today. There are some who believe that the use of drugs bring liberation beyond Leisure. Recreational drugs are generally used for enjoyment or leisure purposes rather than for medical reasons. In the long run it leads to addiction, to health complications as well as mental/social problems and might lead to crime. On the contrary, positive leisure can potentially reduce the risk of alcohol and other drug use through structured and supervised leisure activities. Also it is a fact that drugs may be considered as legal or illegal depending on the governmental regulations/acts throughout. In case of illegal drugs, through global networks of traffickers, drugs are transported to any part of the world.

Leisure refers to activity without compulsion, with autonomy and personal control. The three broad approaches to leisure are: Neo-Marxism, Feminism and Postmodernism. Perhaps the claims of the Postmodernists seem more appropriate in the context of Drugs and leisure.

Social movements arose with a concern for emancipatory politics. The ever increasing dangers due to nuclear energy, weaponry and drugs have generated global protest against the authoritarian control. Sociologically, the process of drug use is considered as deviant activity in the field of criminology through several theories.

The present session welcomes papers, which will highlight the Socio political scenario of Drugs and leisure in global context with suitable theoretical orientation.