title: Pampagilas: Methamphetamine in the everyday economic lives of underclass male youths in a Philippine port.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amid growing concerns about methamphetamine use in Southeast Asia, one important lesson from the field is that the drug serves various 'functions' for its users. The current study explores the functions of methamphetamine (locally known as shabu) in the economic and social lives of a community of underclass young men in a Philippine port.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 20 young men (aged 18-25), most of whom worked as street vendors. Participant observation was carried out for 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methamphetamine use led these young men to experience various desirable effects: increased strength and confidence, disinhibition, insomnia, and an overall improvement of mood that facilitates performance at work and social bonding in their peer group. Methamphetamine, in short, is seen as a 'performance enhancer' (pampagilas). While young people were aware of the legal, economic, and physiologic risks of using methamphetamine, these risks were outweighed by the perceived benefits in the context of an informal economy where opportunities are limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug policies and programs in the Philippines must acknowledge the economic and social role of methamphetamine in the daily lives of young men. This group need skills training and opportunities to move out of an informal economy that generates the demand for drugs to enhance performance - necessary in an arena where performance means survival.
authors: Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: P.G.Lasco@uva.nl.
authors: Gideon
authors: G
authors: Lasco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D010679:Philippines; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012919:Social Behavior; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Informal economy; Methamphetamine use; Philippines; Risk environment; Youth