A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON SUBSTANCE ABUSERS IN CONTACT WITH THE POLICE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STIGMATIZATION THEORY

Authors : Rabia Demir Güvenli

Pages : 225-249

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Publication Date : 2023-10-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Social order is maintained through a set of laws, norms, customs, and traditions. Individuals who violate moral values, commit crimes or disrupt order for whatever reason are ostracized and stigmatized by society. Furthermore, individuals with drug dependence are devalued and rejected by the society. Substance abusers who are ostracized by the society they belong to, tend to commit crimes to survive or obtain the substance they are addicted to. Police officers are the first to encounter substance abusers who commit crimes, and therefore the communication skills of police officers gain importance at this point. It is considered that effective communication by the police officer who interacts with the substance-addicted individual can lead to a positive change in the individual\'s life. It is evaluated that the effective communication established by the police will reduce the tendency of substance abusers with poor communication skills to commit crimes or make them get rid of the substance they are addicted to. In this study, it is aimed to prove the idea that police officers with strong communication skills will bring positive changes in the lives of substance abusers. In this context, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 substance-addicted participants who were subjected to judicial proceedings within the scope of the fight against drugs and stimulants in Ankara. The communication skills of police officers were examined in terms of interpersonal communication. It was also investigated what kind of changes occurred in the lives of substance abusers who were stigmatized by society after they contacted the police. Based on the findings, it was concluded that substance abusers who have encountered police officers with strong communication skills are willing to make positive changes in their lives.
Keywords : kişilerarası iletişim, iletişim becerisi, polis, madde bağımlılığı, damgalama kuramı