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Introduction
The lives of Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong are similar in the extent of their social segregation. Nepali guys, for example, often endure segregation through the education system, where they could be directed to the designated schools and feel restricted in the area of advancement. Likewise, Chinese drug users can experience social stigma and discrimination when their drug use is known to the general public, and they are outcasted or shunned from mainstream communities. Well, in both instances, social segregation can give birth to alienation among drug users and thus contribute to their feelings of marginalization. As a result, the latter may have issues like accessing social networks and resources. Besides that, discrimination in the job market was also noticed, particularly in Nebel mens. The stigma and stereotypes attached to Nepali drug users, particularly males, may prevent them from getting into well-paying or secure jobs. The chances of getting educated or required training for these jobs may also be limited. Likewise, the problem of employment and career progress among Chinese drug users could be caused by widespread discrimination, and hence, economic decline and social alienation may be the consequences. Summarily, the common condition of social separation is the lived reality shared by Nepali and Chinese drug addicts in Hong Kong in the way they engage with the rest of society and also their recovery paths.
The usage of heroin by people as a coping mechanism
Another interesting aspect about Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong is the popularity of heroin as an escape from various stresses and problems. Heroin use among Nepali males might help alleviate workplace pressures, societal expectations, and social roles they are expected to fulfill. Just like in the case of Chinese drug users, heroin may become an outlet for addressing the problems that arise from life in poor neighborhoods, high family expectations, and peer pressure. Heroin use may feel as if it is a short-term remedy for pain and anxiety, diverting one away from the troubles of normal living.
Additionally, heroin addicts might use heroin as a self-medication tool to cure physical and emotional pain for Nepali and Chinese drug users. Inherently, there can be many types of stress that one may encounter, such as work, family, or societal pressures. Heroin can give a break to such stressors but at the expense of higher risks and consequences. The use of heroin as a tool for coping between the Nepali and Chinese communities reveals that the drug users’ need for support in Hong Kong is a common factor that transcends cultural and contextual differences.
Similarity in gender dynamics
The same gender dynamics displayed by Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong tell us how the gender factor is so powerful that it can determine drug use patterns in both populations. Nepali boys exhibited masculinity power street, doing dangerous things like heroin intake to show dominance and get acceptance among their fellow mates. Likewise, Chinese females also tend to suffer from double marginalization as a result of society’s norms and patriarchal system; hence, they get less power and are unable to make their own decisions. Divergence in cultural values is one of the factors that make teenagers from both backgrounds behave differently in the way they use drugs; they are both influenced by societal expectations and gender norms. The gender-based socialization, which is reflective of the broader societal expectations and power structures, explains how people experience drug use and recovery within their community, revealing the need for gender-sensitive interventions.
Differences cultural differences
The cultural differences between Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong are one of the major factors that are affecting their drug use patterning. Nepali drug users could be connected to culture in drug use, such as the relation of marijuana to religion, particularly worshipping Shiva as a Hindu deity. Through the embracement of cannabis in certain contexts by the Nepali society, one could expect the youth to have more positive attitudes towards drug use, which in turn leads to the normalization of this practice in the communities. While it could be that the Chinese drug addicts regard their friends as more influential than the cultural traditions, the latter may still be an important factor to consider. In Hong Kong, social pressures and socialization may be the highest influences, making the Chinese use drugs compared to traditional cultural beliefs. On the other hand, Nepali drug users may turn to cultural heritage to justify or normalize the use of drugs.
Socioeconomic background
Another significant difference between the backgrounds of Nepali and Chinese drug addicts in Hong Kong is their socioeconomic background. The majority of Nepali drug users are the ones who live in poor areas, and they are the illiterate and unemployed people in society. Some Nepali people may feel burdened by economic difficulties and social marginalization, which may lead them to use drugs as a means of escaping the stressors and forgetting about the poverty problems. At the same time, the drug users in China may be from different socioeconomic statuses, such as the lower class to the middle class. A few people of Chinese nationality also may try drugs for the sake of fun, or they may use them experimentally, without the necessity of taking them as a reaction to social and economic pressure. The socioeconomic conditions in which drug use develops can influence the reasons why people become involved in such behaviors, their ability to respond to recovery resources, and how they relate to the community. This is why it is important to consider these socioeconomic inequalities when designing prevention and intervention strategies targeted at each ethnic group individually.
Family structure
Another factor for the different drug use patterns among the Nepali and Chinese communities in Hong Kong is the family structures that are different. Nepali drug users may face the problems of broken families, conventional gender roles, and the absence of parental care. Family relations may be a factor in many Nepali people’s alienation and disconnection, thus resulting in some individuals turning to drugs as a means to find solace or to belong to a group outside their families. However, Chinese drug users may have different social situations, such as being pressured by the family and the expectations to maintain a certain image within society. Chinese people who are afraid of being reprimanded by their family members or being shamed by society may refrain from testing drugs or seeking treatment for drug use problems. To sum up, the differences in family structures play a major role in how individuals perceive drug use and, thus, their recovery pathways within Nepali and Chinese communities in Hong Kong.
Explanation of Similarities
However, despite the obvious distinctions, the Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong also share some commonalities, namely social segregation, heroin use as a coping method, and gender roles. The common experience of social marginalization and alienation is a defining element of daily life for both groups, affecting their social interactions and access to support networks. It is worth noting that the use of heroin is a popular method of dealing with different stressors and problems, regardless of the cultural or socioeconomic background of the individual. Gender dynamics are a significant factor in shaping drug use patterns both within the communities and reflect the broader societal norms and power structures. In summary, the drug use behaviors of Nepali and Chinese drug users in Hong Kong are influenced by multiple factors, and the community drug use patterns are diverse.
Explanation for difference
The variation in culture, socioeconomic status, and family living style between Nepali and Chinese drug users comes from the difference in the contexts of their backgrounds and societies. As such, the Nepali people are facing unique things like a split family and inadequate resources. Through the role of family and different societal aspects, individuals might find themselves in a position where the only way to cope with their circumstances is through drug use. Different from the case of the Chinese drug users who are in Hong Kong, this group could face various societal pressures different from what the Chinese drug users who are in Hong Kong could face. In addition, they may also face various cultural expectations inherent within the family and cultural norms. The significant emphasis on academic and career success within Chinese families combined with the society-faced stigma attached to drug use make for a different set of barriers in this social group.