#uselesssuffering

1. What do you deem to be a more productive way of discussing the connection between homelessness, drug use and other issues posed by the author? Behavioral, socioeconomic, bio-medical...speculate

Bourgois describes the connection between homelessness, drug use and other issues through behavioral, socioeconomic, and bio-medical standpoints. In my opinion, the most productive and easiest way to understand this relationship between homelessness and drug use is through the construction of socioeconomic position. Through 'deinstitutionalization', homeless people are close to the bottom in terms of importance in society. They must fight for everything they want and need in their lives as they get little to no help or support from other members of society. Homeless people then turn to drug use to compensate for certain things they have lost in the course of their lives. Drug use results in addiction, which in turn limits the opportunities these people may have been able to obtain. 

2. What is a 'righteous dopefiend'? What does neoliberalism have to do with it?

A 'righteous dopefiend' is a term by Bourgois given to an individual who becomes physically and psychologically addicted to opiates. Their main priority in life is to obtain heroin "by any means necessary." Bourgois (240) explains that this imperative regulates their social relations, gives them a sense of purpose, and allows them to construct moral authority and interpersonal hierarchies. The term 'righteous dopefiend' ties in with neoliberalism because it is a term given to an individual by society. In most instances, instead of trying to make a change in their lifestyle, they live up to the name. By living lives that are controlled by drug use, they give up their rights to healthcare and must work jobs that only pay them enough to buy more drugs. They are never truly able to get out of this lifestyle.

3. Explain the notion of 'moralizing suffering and abuse', can you provide an example beyond those discussed by the author?