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This study investigates recreational use of psychedelic drugs (LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms) by qualitative methods, i.e. narrative interviews (n=32) and qualitative content analysis. Thematic dimensions: personal motivations and functions of use, typical consumption patterns, preferred settings of use, characteristics of subjective drug experiences, and cognitions about consequences. It was found that the onset of use can follow specific intentions and interest for psychedelics, or starts due to availability of hallucinogens. In the continuation of psychedelics use, one group reports the motivation of self exploration and search for spiritual insight, connected with moderate use in private settings, introspective drug experiences and perceived benefits. Another group reports hedonistic motivations (sensory enhancement, sensation seeking) and intensive use in public party settings. A third group reports multiple motivations with various combinations of heuristic and hedonistic functions of use. A central conclusion is that subjective motivations reflect personal set and socio-cultural setting, and tend to be confirmed like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The bonus system was recently introduced as an educational concept into the German youth prison system. The thesis traces the concept back to Alexander Maconochie's mark system. It then researches its translation into the behavioral psychologists' token economy. The use of the idea in Germany is pursued in educational and legal thinking. The thesis culminates in an empirical investigation of bonus systems in German youth prisons, in which two versions of the idea are practiced. As a result of her studies, the author concludes by naming four conditions for making a bonus system effective.

Drug consumption is a voluntary decision based on preexisting situational contexts, social events, personal traits and cultural circumstances. Because of this, drug consumption is not pathological but rather normal and ubiquitous. It is only as a result of persecution by the authorities of social control that drug users develop deviant behavior. This is why anomy is not the cause but the consequence of illegal drug use.Through persecution and incarceration the drug user starts to develop negative identity awareness, thus perceiving himself as addicted and as a criminal. Due to the criminalization and the associated persecution, criminalization and imprisonment of the drug-addicted subject is assigned to the drug subculture. The associated stigma lets the subject develop a self-identity which corresponds to the constructed perception. It perceives itself as being addicted and identifies any discomfort as withdrawal symptoms that can only be alleviated by further drug use.As a result of prolonged incarceration in the German penal system dependence patterns are consolidated, thus making all attempts of a return to civil society futile. It is necessary to change drug policy now. A case management with integrated motivational interviewing can help the drug users to develop new perspectives for their lives instead leading them into misery.

Increasing admission rates in forensic addiction units, overcrowded wards and sky-high therapy dropout rates raise the question: what is wrong with forensic addiction treatment? What are the reasons for the persistent "forlornness" of cost intensive inpatient treatment for alcohol and drug addiction? The study examines whether inappropriate admissions are the main reason for this situation. Based on all completed treatment episodes in North Rhine-Westphalia from 2005 "irregular treatment courses" are identified and potentially predictive factors for inappropriate admissions are studied. The information available at the time of admission does not provide any prognostic certainty on the course of treatment.

Die Dissertation umfasst in erster Linie eine Untersuchung verschiedener Drogenpolitiken eines jeden Kontinents in ihren historischen, kulturellen, sozio-ökonomischen und zunehmend internationalen bzw. globalisierenden und der U.S.-Hegemonie ausgesetzten Kontext einerseits sowie die Darstellung der jeweiligen rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen andererseits. In einem zweiten Schritt erfolgte die Zuordnung der Drogenpolitiken zur Restriktion oder "Harm Reduction". Schließlich wurde mittels einer Kategorisierung eine Rangfolge der einzelnen Länder dahingehend entwickelt, inwieweit diese auf die repressive Drogenpolitik festgelegt sind bzw. ob Tendenzen für eine Änderung der drogenpolitischen Situation existieren.