An Exploration of Factors That Contribute to Drug Use Among Dropout Girls in Inner City Communities in Kingston and St

An Exploration of Factors that Contribute to Drug Use among Dropout Girls in Inner City Communities in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica A Thesis Submitted to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon By Sheria Myrie Copyright Sheria Myrie, March 2017. All rights reserved. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis/dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, I agree that the Libraries of this University may make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis/dissertation in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis/dissertation work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department of Sociology or the Dean of the College in which my dissertation work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis/dissertation or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis/dissertation. Requests for permission to copy or to make other uses of materials in this thesis/dissertation in whole or part should be addressed to: Head of the Department of Sociology University of Saskatchewan 9 Campus Drive S7N 5A5 Canada i ABSTRACT There is a dearth of research on increased drug use among adolescent girls in Jamaica over the last two decades, with lack of specific attention to girls who dropped out of school, and who reside in inner city communities. Theory of planned behaviour, social control and social learning theories have been used to analyse adolescent drug use in general. However, these theories might not fully address the unique situations of urban dropout girls in Jamaica. Using data from semi- structured interviews with 15 dropout girls, this study aims to explore the factors that contribute to drug use—primarily marijuana and tobacco use—among dropout girls in inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica. Three questions are posed: 1). What are the attitudes and beliefs of dropout girls in inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew about drug use? 2). What is the impact of social contexts on the drug use attitudes, beliefs, and practices of dropout girls in inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew? and 3). What is the impact of gender norms and roles on the drug use attitudes, beliefs, and practices of dropout girls in inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew? A postcolonial feminist standpoint research approach is used to collect, analyse, and interpret the data. An interpretation of the girls’ dialogues and experiences is carried out to develop relevant programming recommendations. The findings reveal that girls believe that smoking—mainly marijuana and tobacco— helps them to cope with stress and several psychosocial challenges; their social experiences with family neglect and abuse, peer influence, schooling experiences, community violence, and poverty also contribute to their stress and subsequent smoking practices. The findings generally support existing theoretical frameworks, including theory of planned behavior, social control and social learning theories. However, this study finds that Jamaican urban dropout girls’ attitudes and beliefs are shaped by their socially assigned feminine traits and roles, and by interactions with and experiences in their social contexts which are moulded by colonial legacies as well as gender norms and class disparities. Accordingly, I suggest that postcolonial feminism can be used along with existing models to explain the factors that contribute to drug use among dropout girls in inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica. Finally, I recommend the development of programs that target the unique factors that influence Jamaican girls to use drugs, in order to reduce drug use and promote the healthy development of girls. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This dissertation would not have been completed without the unwavering support of my family, friends, supervisor, committee members, and everyone else who helped me along the way. Writing these few words cannot begin to demonstrate how grateful I am to each of the following persons: ▪ Dr. Colleen Dell: Thank you so much for your expert guidance, patience, and confidence in my ability to do this research. When I first met you in 2012, I did not have the slightest idea of how to proceed and I was fearful of the entire research process. Your kind words and unmatched brilliance in substance use and abuse research provided me with the impetus to do this dissertation. Thank you for helping me to mature and harness my full potential. ▪ My committee members—Dr. Marie Lovrod, Dr. Marcella Ogenchuk, and Dr. John Hansen: Thank you for ardently agreeing to come on board my research project. The time you spent working with me through the various stages of the research and providing me with constructive feedback was valuable, and I will be forever grateful. ▪ My dearest Lasandra Dyer: You have been more than a friend to me. Thank you for all the times you spent listening to me, encouraging me, and making me laugh. Also, thank you for taking care of Kelly and Mommy while I embarked on this journey. I am truly blessed to have you as my best friend. ▪ Mr. Trevor Spence: Thank you for mentoring and preparing me for this PhD. Your passion for empowering people, social inclusion, and community development was contagious, and it helped to influence my decision to conduct this research. I aspire to model your exceptional leadership style in my professional endeavors. ▪ Delroy Simmons: I hope I told you how grateful I am for your help before your passing. You were like a big brother to me. During the years I spent working in the community, and when I returned to conduct this research, you assisted me and always ensured my well-being. I will never forget your kindness, pleasant smile, and you getting me Neddy’s lunch daily. Rest in peace. ▪ My ‘lifeline’ Dr. Oral Robinson: I am so happy you decided to attend the U of S the same year as I did. I could not have survived doing this PhD program and living in a new iii country without you. Thank you for helping me to brainstorm ideas for my research and being my confidant. ▪ Dr. Yolanda Palmer-Clarke: Thank you for helping me to edit the manuscript. Also, thank you for often texting me to find out how I was doing and giving me words of encouragement. ▪ Mrs. Diana Black: Thank you for helping me to recruit participants for the research. ▪ Roumelia Pryce: Nothing, not even distance, can break our bond of friendship. Thank you for motivating me to complete the dissertation so I can finally “come to my yard.” ▪ Rochelle Davis: Thank you for proof reading early drafts of the manuscript for me. ▪ And lastly, my sincere gratitude to the 15 girls who took the time to talk with me and share stories about their lives. This dissertation would not have been possible without each of you, and I hope that this research transforms your life in some way. iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the two most important persons in my life, my sister and mother. Kelly, every moment I spent writing this thesis is in fulfilment of the goals that we set under the Ackee tree at our first house. Mommy, during the countless times when I felt weary of doing this thesis, I was rejuvenated by your favorite words of encouragement “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. You are a blessed child, and I raised you.” At times when I felt defeated, I was empowered when I remembered being awoken in the early hours of the morning by the sound of your SINGER sewing machine and you humming your favorite gospel tunes, as you supplemented the minimum wage you earned to provide for me and Kelly when we were young. You are the bravest and strongest woman I know, and since I completed this dissertation, it seems I have inherited a portion of your strength. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PERMISSION TO USE ................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ v TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... xii LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH .............................................................. 1 1.01. Background ..................................................................................................................

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