Actor–Structure Reproduction of Drug Abuse: A Critical Sociological Study in Barru District, Indonesia

Abstract

Substance misuse continues to be a pervasive and intricate social problem in Indonesia, impacting both urban and rural populations. In Barru District, South Sulawesi, despite robust communal and religious principles, drug-related offenses have escalated to alarming proportions, with 80% of local prison inmates imprisoned for drug-related offenses. This paradox underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding that transcends both biological and criminological methodologies. Although prior research frequently emphasizes individual behavior or public health consequences, limited studies have investigated the structural and cultural reasons that perpetuate drug misuse within cohesive communities. This study critically examines the actor-structure dynamics that perpetuate drug-related practices in Barru District. The study employs qualitative approaches, including interviews, observations, and document analysis, to explore the interactions among users, local networks, institutional deficiencies, and cultural legitimization. The findings indicate four principal conclusions: the normalization of drug consumption in daily life; robust user-dealer micro-networks; institutional facilitators like discrepancies in law enforcement and inadequate rehabilitation; and the symbolic authority that legitimizes deviant behavior. These dynamics illustrate a dual process of reproduction, grounded in both agency and structure. The report advocates for a reevaluation of drug policy via community-oriented, culturally relevant interventions and systemic transformation. Subsequent studies ought to incorporate indigenous knowledge and participatory frameworks to facilitate sustainable transformation.