Drugs for Dancing?

Drugs for Dancing?

Abstract

Addiction Research and Theory 2003, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 207–208 Book Review DRUGS FOR DANCING? Dancing on Drugs – risk, health and hedonism in the British club scene. Measham. F., Aldridge. J. and Parker. H.; Free Association Books, London, 2001, £16.95, paperback This is a carefully considered, thorough and well crafted report of well considered and carefully crafted research; so the amazon surfer with expectations of reading about the joys of the dance drug scene will be disappointed. The academic reader – who of course is above such expectations – will however, be more fully rewarded. The attention that has gone into the writing of the book, also requires such attention from the reader – so I cannot recommend this as an easy read. It may well inspire – and to a lesser extent perhaps enthuse – those wishing to undertake doctoral work into the ‘dance drug scene’. The ‘‘study explores the serious end of the UK’s recreational drug-using population’’ focusing on ‘‘the minority who move beyond cannabis and include amphetamines poppers cocaine and especially ecstasy in their repertoires – the dance drug users’’. Whilst not denying the existence of those who dance on drugs I do