The Rise and Decline of a Subculture

Cohen has suggested that a new subculture arises when it provides a solution to certain problems of adjustment shared among a community of individuals. This concept is tested against the history of a drug subculture in Kentucky, and found to apply to it. Before 1914, when narcotics could be obtained legally, easily and cheaply, there was no drug subculture. After 1914 drugs could be obtained only with difficulty, but could be obtained through contact with addicts, and a subculture emerged. After 1940, the subculture no longer provided a solution to the problem of obtaining drugs, and it declined. These conclusions are based on a measure of involvement in the subculture, and the changing associations, over time, of other variables with this measure.