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ABSTRACT:The goal of the present study has been to exploratorily analyse the possible differences in perceived stigma on drug use between a sample of students and health services workers from Italy and Belgium. The Perceived Stigma of Addiction Scale (PSAS) (Luoma, Hair, kohlenberg, Hayes, and Fletcher, 2010) was used. A total of 277 participants took part in this study. Outcomes showed that the perceived stigma among Italians was signifi-cantly higher (M = 23.68) than that reported by Belgians (M = 20.26). Authors argued that many factors (e.g., social, cultural, etc.) may explain the differences obtained. On the other hand, the existence of a stigma circuit (Scioli and Paniccia), which would share some similarities with the anxiety circuit, seems to trap the person in a vicious cycle of events that would make the relapse from addiction harder. The limitations and scope of the obtained results in the frame of this ex-ploratory study is discussed. Keywords: drug abuse, stigma circuit, transcultural comparison, perceived stigma.Un estudio sobre la percepción del estigma asociado al consumo de drogas en una muestra de italianos y no italianos RESUMEN: El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido analizar de manera exploratoria las posibles diferencias en el estigma percibido asociado al consumo de drogas entre una muestra de estudiantes y trabajadores de los servicios de salud procedentes de Italia y Bélgica. Para este propósito, se utilizó el Perceived Stigma of Addiction Scale (PSAS) (Luoma, Hair, kohlenberg, Hayes, y Fletcher, 2010). Un total de 277 participantes tomaron parte en este estudio. Los resultados mostraron que el estigma percibido entre los italianos fue significativamente mayor (M = 23.68) que el informado por la muestra de Bélgica (M = 20.26). Los autores argumentan que varios factores (e.g., sociales, culturales, etc.) explicarían las diferencias obtenidas. Por otro lado, la existencia de un circuito del estigma (Scioli y Paniccia), el cual compartiría ciertas similitudes con el circuito de la ansiedad, parece atrapar a la persona en un círculo vicioso de eventos que haría más difícil la recuperación de la adicción. Se discuten las limitaciones y el alcance de los resultados obtenidos en el marco del presente estudio exploratorio. Palabras clave: abuso de drogas, circuito del estigma, comparación transcultural, estigma percibido.

Aim: This study attempts to demonstrate the relevance of the socio-cultural model of drugs in explaining the impressive development of ecstasy in the last 45 years. Method: First the study describes the use of ecstasy by groups which have left their imprint on the substance: university students, gays, yuppies and the “New Age” movement. Then the link between ecstasy and techno music led to the socially integrated “club” phenomenon, and the “rave”, which began as a rupturing, nonconformist phenomenon. Findings: According to this argument, in spite of its clearly counterculture beginnings, the “rave” movement and its most characteristic drug, ecstasy, have gradually become integrated into mainstream culture, somehow reinforcing the functioning of capitalist postmodernity. Our study explains ecstasy’s history in reference to the cultural contradictions of capitalism and the functions that it currently fulfils for young people. Based on this analysis, the implications of the cultural perspective are discussed as a paradigm of research in drug use, stressing notions of subculture, myths and rituals. It also proposes a harmonious articulation of academic and common knowledge as the most appropriate method for their study. Conclusion: A cultural approach to drug use could assist in unblocking a field so in need of conceptual and empirical revision.

The current study analyzes the psychometric properties of an innovative three-dimensional (3D) simulation program, entitled Mii-School (MS), designed for the early detection of drug use and bullying in Secondary School children. This computer program showed adequate reliability and construct validity. The factorial structure, as well as the explanatory weight of the different factors, is presented. In addition, the results of a parallel version in paper and pencil format are also presented and compared with those of the computerized version (i.e., MS). There was a statistically significant difference between the two formats in the total (i.e., combined) sore of risk. When drug use and bullying were separately analyzed, differences were found only with regard to drug use. The relevance of these results as well as the suitability of this type of 3D instrument for the early detection of risky behaviors in young people are discussed.