The Swedish drug problem: Conceptual understanding and problem handling, 1839–2011

Abstract

AIM - To analyse the Swedish drug question by examining dominant concepts used to portray the problem in the years 1839-2011. Theoretically, we understand these concepts as ideological tools that shape the political initiatives and administrative efforts to deal with the problem. The study is based on two kinds of source material: articles in medical journals from the years 1839-1964 and public reports on vagrancy, the alcohol problem, mental health and the drug problem from the years 1882-2011.

Keywords

• Sweden
• history
• 20th century
• 19th century
• drug problem
• concepts