Spice, Gender and Stigma in the Rural Risk Environment

Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists (SCRAs) – “Spice” – have been high lighted as being increasingly used by some of the UK’s most vulnerable populations, particularly homeless persons, posing a range of potential harms. This chapter examines Spice use and experiences of stigma in the rural English county of Lincolnshire, drawing on data from 21 qualitative interviews conducted with ten users of Spice and eleven front-line practitioners. The research focuses first on why individuals use Spice, including as an escape from trauma and the pains of everyday life, as well as the shortage of relevant support services in the county, including mental health and housing services. It then examines experiences of stigma among users of Spice in Lincolnshire, regarding how public attitudes and social policy treat users as “other”, and the impacts of the media in shaping these perceptions. Finally, the chapter explores the intersections of gender, Spice and stigma, examining first how female Spice users were particularly visible and stigmatised, as well as specific risks that female Spice users faced when sleeping rough and using the drug. The impacts of masculinities on help-seeking and service en gagement are then considered, offering insight into the intersections of gender, stigma and Spice in the rural risk environment.