Entre « raves » et réalités : des savoirs secrets des usagers de drogues dans les espaces de loisir nocturne techno, en Aquitaine et dans la Communauté Autonome Basque Espagnole, à la réduction des risques

Abstract

This is a thesis on education about the issue of the uses of drugs by current youth in their festive and musical practice, parting from a field work within the scope of the reduction of illegal psychoactive drug related harm. This exploratory ethnographic research shows the obscure and paradoxical relationship that health, social and political institutions maintain towards drug users. Thus, the objective of this thesis is to show that the prohibition of recreational drugs generates hypocrisy and secrecy in the transmission of prevention messages to consumers, fact which is finally detrimental to health. Applying a qualitative methodology, we have explored the world of techno music in free parties in Aquitaine and clubs in the Spanish Basque border area, during the years 2000 to 2003. We have, accordingly, made an analysis of this contemporary festive culture and drug uses related to it. In addition, we have noted that society has maintained for generations a negative image of young people. Thus, in the current context of economic crisis, youth seems encouraged to live on the fringes of society or in an abusive hedonism. Finally, we have confirmed that the secret held by the users around the drugs is doubled by an institutional "omerta" on the subject. This law of silence prevents from communicating all age-old and new knowledge on drugs, knowledge that could be yet required for a consistent education on health and citizenship in our modern societies.