title: Down on main street: drugs and the small-town vortex.
abstract: Ethnographic research on social networks-especially that which focuses on rural or small-town drug use-is relatively rare. Drawing on qualitative interviews and focus groups conducted with illicit drug users residing in three counties in west central Ohio, this article examines perceptions of small-town life and the influence of local social networks on drug-using practices. Since chronic drug use is often driven by associations with other users, the combination of small social circles, a limited scope of acquaintances and economic opportunities, inadequate drug treatment, and abundant drug supplies can create a "vortex" effect and magnify drug use in small towns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA. draus@umd.umich.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Draus
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult