What is a key characteristic of drug cultures?

The key characteristic of drug cultures revolves around the rules, dress, and language that define a particular group engaged with substance use. Each drug culture develops its own unique set of norms and values, which influence behaviors and interactions among its members.

For instance, specific clothing styles or symbols might be associated with drug use, signaling belonging to that culture. Additionally, language can evolve with slang terms and phrases that articulate shared experiences and reinforce group identity. These elements foster a sense of community and facilitate social bonding among individuals who share the same substance use practices.

While aspects such as the legal status of substances, types of drugs used, and geographical distribution can play important roles in understanding drug-related phenomena, they do not capture the social and cultural dimensions that distinctly characterize drug subcultures. Those facets serve more as context or background, while the rules, dress, and language are integral to the culture itself.