Hustlers and tricksters: Colonialism, the war on drugs, and survival strategies of people who inject drugs

Key Points

• Survival strategies are influenced by historical contexts of colonialism, shaping current drug policies.
• Findings highlight that addiction strategies are impacted by stigma and social networks, altering behaviors in communities.
• Analysis across various regions shows the persistent effects of drug policies on marginalized individuals who inject drugs.
• The implications suggest a need for harm reduction approaches that address both colonial legacies and current drug issues.