ABSTRACT
An initial distinction between problematic and recreational users was re-conceptualized into integrated and marginalized drug consumers, which may resemble a distinction between normality and deviance. Marginalized drug consumers meet the criteria for social exclusion. In all cities, more than half of them experienced numerous problems with the police and many reported illegitimate sources of income including begging, prostitution, drug dealing and petty thefts. Regarding housing, Vienna has a remarkably low proportion of homeless drug consumers, which probably reflects the elaborated system of municipal housing. Despite their high level of social exclusion, marginalized drug consumers assess their health, social position, access to the labour market and social services as unexpectedly high, frequently higher than integrated consumers. The social position of drug users seems to be closely related to their consumption pattern. Cannabis is the most prevalent drug among integrated consumers with cannabis herb being a drug of choice in all cities but Turin where cannabis resin prevails.
