Carceral Recovery: Prisons, Drug Markets, and the New Pharmaceutical Self

The book explores the interrelation between carceral conditions and substance use in Baltimore, highlighting the paradoxes of care and punishment and the competing forces that shape substance use, recovery, and relapse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

The book "The Interrelation between Carceral Conditions and Substance Use: An Analysis of the Intersections between Drug Markets, Sidewalks, Households, and Prisons in Baltimore" by Sanaullah Khan explores the complex relationship between carceral conditions and substance use in Baltimore. Khan argues that housing, medicalization, and incarceration create the conditions for substance use, but individuals are increasingly experiencing the paradoxes of care and punishment by being propelled into a new regime of recovery that creates new pharmaceuticalized identities. The book sheds light on how addiction and the impetus for healing move through families and institutions of the state, providing an account of the different competing forces that shape substance use, recovery, and relapse. Through a combination of archival research and ethnography, the book makes a case for disentangling punishment from recovery.

The book begins by examining the historical and social context of drug markets in Baltimore, highlighting the ways in which drug markets have shaped the city's landscape and impacted its residents. Khan argues that drug markets have created a system of inequality and exploitation, with marginalized communities being disproportionately affected by drug-related harm. He also explores the ways in which drug markets have influenced the development of carceral conditions, with the criminalization of drug use leading to increased incarceration rates and the expansion of the prison system.

Next, the book examines the intersections between drug markets, sidewalks, households, and prisons in Baltimore. Khan argues that these intersections create a complex web of social and economic relationships that shape substance use and recovery. For example, drug markets can create a sense of community and belonging among drug users, while sidewalks can be a site of drug-related violence and harm. Households can also play a significant role in substance use and recovery, with family dynamics and relationships influencing the likelihood of substance use and the ability to seek treatment. Prisons can also be a site of recovery, with programs and services available to help individuals address their substance use issues.

However, Khan also argues that the paradoxes of care and punishment create a challenging environment for individuals experiencing substance use disorders. On the one hand, individuals are increasingly being offered treatment and support services, which can help them to recover from addiction. On the other hand, individuals are also being subjected to punitive measures, such as incarceration, which can exacerbate their substance use disorders and lead to further harm.

To address these paradoxes, Khan proposes a new regime of recovery that focuses on addressing the root causes of substance use disorders rather than simply punishing individuals. This regime includes a range of interventions, such as harm reduction, treatment, and support services, as well as policies that address the social and economic factors that contribute to substance use disorders.

One of the key interventions proposed by Khan is harm reduction. Harm reduction involves reducing the harm associated with drug use, rather than trying to eliminate drug use altogether. This can include providing clean needles and syringes, overdose prevention programs, and drug treatment programs. Harm reduction programs can help to reduce the number of deaths and injuries associated with drug use, while also providing individuals with the resources they need to recover from addiction.

Treatment is another key intervention proposed by Khan. Treatment programs can provide individuals with the skills and support they need to overcome their substance use disorders. Treatment programs can include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and residential treatment. Inpatient treatment involves living in a treatment facility for a period of time, while outpatient treatment involves receiving treatment on a regular basis. Residential treatment involves living in a treatment facility for a longer period of time, typically several months or years.

Support services are also important in the recovery process. Support services can include peer support groups, family support groups, and mental health services. Peer support groups can provide individuals with a sense of community and support, while family support groups can provide individuals with the support they need to address their substance use issues. Mental health services can provide individuals with the treatment they need to address their mental health issues, which can often be a contributing factor to substance use disorders.

In addition to these interventions, Khan also proposes policies that address the social and economic factors that contribute to substance use disorders. These policies can include policies that reduce poverty, increase access to education, and reduce the availability of drugs. For example, policies that reduce poverty can help to reduce the number of individuals who are living in poverty, which can increase the likelihood of substance use disorders. Policies that increase access to education can help to improve the skills and knowledge of individuals, which can help to reduce the likelihood of substance use disorders. Policies that reduce the availability of drugs can help to reduce the number of individuals who are using drugs, which can reduce the harm associated with drug use.

However, implementing these interventions and policies can be challenging. Khan argues that there are a number of barriers that prevent individuals from accessing treatment and support services. These barriers include stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to resources. Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking treatment and support services, while discrimination can prevent individuals from receiving the same level of treatment and support services as other individuals. Lack of access to resources can prevent individuals from accessing treatment and support services, such as clean needles and syringes, overdose prevention programs, and drug treatment programs.

To address these barriers, Khan proposes a number of strategies. One strategy is to increase awareness of substance use disorders and the available treatment and support services. This can be done through public education campaigns, social media campaigns, and community outreach programs. Another strategy is to provide training to healthcare providers and other professionals who work with individuals experiencing substance use disorders. This training can help to improve the skills and knowledge of these professionals, which can help to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with substance use disorders.

Another strategy is to provide funding to treatment and support services. This funding can be provided through government grants, private donations, and foundations. Funding can help to provide individuals with the resources they need to access treatment and support services, such as clean needles and syringes, overdose prevention programs, and drug treatment programs.

In addition to these strategies, Khan also proposes a number of policies that address the social and economic factors that contribute to substance use disorders. These policies can include policies that reduce poverty, increase access to education, and reduce the availability of drugs. For example, policies that reduce poverty can help to reduce the number of individuals who are living in poverty, which can increase the likelihood of substance use disorders. Policies that increase access to education can help to improve the skills and knowledge of individuals, which can help to reduce the likelihood of substance use disorders. Policies that reduce the availability of drugs can help to reduce the number of individuals who are using drugs, which can reduce the harm associated with drug use.

However, implementing these policies can be challenging. Khan argues that there are a number of political and economic forces that oppose these policies. These forces include the pharmaceutical industry, the prison industry, and the political establishment. The pharmaceutical industry has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which includes the criminalization of drug use and the expansion of the prison system. The prison industry has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which includes the incarceration of individuals who are experiencing substance use disorders. The political establishment has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which includes the repression of drug use and the expansion of the prison system.

To address these political and economic forces, Khan proposes a number of strategies. One strategy is to engage in political activism. Political activism can help to raise awareness of substance use disorders and the available treatment and support services. Political activism can also help to pressure politicians to implement policies that address the social and economic factors that contribute to substance use disorders.

Another strategy is to engage in economic activism. Economic activism can help to reduce the profits of the pharmaceutical industry and the prison industry. Economic activism can also help to promote the development of alternative industries that provide jobs and economic opportunities for individuals experiencing substance use disorders.

In conclusion, the book "The Interrelation between Carceral Conditions and Substance Use: An Analysis of the Intersections between Drug Markets, Sidewalks, Households, and Prisons in Baltimore" by Sanaullah Khan explores the complex relationship between carceral conditions and substance use in Baltimore. Khan argues that housing, medicalization, and incarceration create the conditions for substance use, but individuals are increasingly experiencing the paradoxes of care and punishment by being propelled into a new regime of recovery that creates new pharmaceuticalized identities. The book sheds light on how addiction and the impetus for healing move through families and institutions of the state, providing an account of the different competing forces that shape substance use, recovery, and relapse. Through a combination of archival research and ethnography, the book makes a case for disentangling punishment from recovery. However, implementing these interventions and policies can be challenging due to a number of barriers, including stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to resources. To address these barriers, Khan proposes a number of strategies, including increasing awareness of substance use disorders and the available treatment and support services, providing training to healthcare providers and other professionals, providing funding to treatment and support services, and engaging in political and economic activism. By implementing these strategies, we can create a more just and equitable society that addresses the root causes of substance use disorders rather than simply punishing individuals.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666929096