WWeek 1

Question 1

drug user vs person who uses drugs

Answer 1

first person language recognizes collective humanity
* removes moral judgement

Question 2

injector vs person who injects drugs

Answer 2

injector defines person solely based on behavior

slang and short cuts can be judgemental and derogatory

Question 3

addiction/substance abuse vs drug dependence

Answer 3

dependence does not carry the historical and political connotations of ‘addiction’

addiction as disease is contested

abuse is judgemental

Question 4

drug addict vs person with drug dependence

Answer 4

negative connotations of ‘addict’

describes people as having a single dimension

pathologizing and disempowering

Question 5

clean/sober/in-recovery vs person who has used drugs

Answer 5

using/not using can be fluid

states facts without additional emotion, judgement, or negative connotations

Question 6

drug using populations/affected communities vs communities of people who use drugs

Answer 6

positive recognition of connection, empathy, and trust among people who use drugs

reduces sense of surveillance or victimizing

Question 7

INPUD and ANPUD

Answer 7

INPUD: international network of people who use drugs
* global peer based network to promote health and protect rights of people who use drugs

ANPUD: Asian network of people who use drugs

Question 8

why is language important

Answer 8

fundamental to all human societies

shapes meaning

always evolving

Question 9

tips for words that matter

Answer 9

• emphasize the person first
  —–> don’t define people by their drug use
• chose words that are empowering
• use accessible language
• avoid diminishing people
• communication also has to be physical (tone of voice, body language)