The Spread of Drug Use: Epidemic Models or Social Interaction?
Substance Use: Individual Behaviour, Social Interactions, Markets and Politics
ISBN: 978-0-76231-233-7, eISBN: 978-1-84950-361-7
Publication date: 23 September 2005
Abstract
This chapter argues that models trying to explain the spread of drug use should not be based on standard epidemiological models developed to describe the spread of infectious diseases. The main weaknesses of the standard model are the lack of attention to micro-foundations and the inappropriateness of several of its assumptions in the context of drug use. An approach based on mechanisms and social interaction is argued to provide a promising alternative to the standard approach. To illustrate this, a model of the spread of drugs based on two mechanisms has been developed (observational learning and social stigma). Lastly, some of the difficulties in testing and deriving policy implications in these models are discussed.
Citation
Melberg, H.O. (2005), "The Spread of Drug Use: Epidemic Models or Social Interaction?", Lindgren, B. and Grossman, M. (Ed.) Substance Use: Individual Behaviour, Social Interactions, Markets and Politics (Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 173-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0731-2199(05)16008-7
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited