Publisher's Synopsis
This book is based on a critical view of the bio-behavioral model predominant in the study of drugs. A cultural viewpoint is proposed, with ecstasy as the reference. First it presents the use of ecstasy by groups who have left their imprint on the substance: young university students, gays, yuppies and members of the "New Age" movement. The link between ecstasy and techno music is shown, leading to the "rave" phenomenon. In spite of its clearly counterculture beginnings, the "rave" movement and its most characteristic drug, ecstasy, have gradually become integrated in the mainstream culture. This book explains ecstasy's path by calling on the cultural contradictions of capitalism and the functions that the substance may currently fulfil for youth. Based on this analysis, the implications of the cultural perspective are discussed as a new paradigm of research in the area of drugs, stressing notions of subculture, myths and rituals.
