Sex differences, gendering and drugs

Beth Glover Reed, Yun Chen and Lauren Whitmer

Chapter 20 in Research Handbook on Drugs and Society, 2026, pp 245-263 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Assumptions about sex differences (biological) and gender (sociocultural) contribute to social organization in all cultures. Gender interacts with other social categories (e.g., race/ethnicity, economic class, dis/ability, religion, sexuality, age) to create complex patterns/systems of differences/inequalities (kyriarchy). These influence understanding, regulation of use and problems with psychoactive drugs. We challenge/complicate binary biological and social assumptions about sex and gender, and consequences of man/male-centered knowledge. We note gender-related issues in key drug policy arenas: (1) producing/distributing drugs (as commodity); (2) supporting positive functions of drugs (social relationships, spiritual, cultural, medical, for pleasure) and preventing negative; and (3) addressing problems once developed. We propose a nine-part analytic framework for ongoing analysis, and identify key issues for future work: inadequate knowledge/intervention approaches, the over-focus on pregnancy and children, the policing of pleasure and bodies, and systemic violence or other mechanisms of oppression. We outline principles for future work, drawing from frameworks of harm reduction, abolitionist and narcofeminisms.

Keywords: Gendering; Positionalities; Kyriarchy; Violence; Pleasure; Justice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781802209136
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