Under the bridge in Tehran: Addiction, Poverty and Capital

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Urban Studies
• Criminology

Background:

• The "dangerous class" of drug users in Iran remains a marginalized group.
• Understanding their socio-political positioning is crucial for urban and public health policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To ethnographically explore the lives of drug users in Tehran.
• To analyze the political uses and abuses of this group within modern Iran.
• To investigate the impact of power and capital on their agency and urban presence.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Tehran.
• Qualitative data collection among diverse drug-using communities.
• Analysis of the interplay between the state, capital, and marginalized populations.

Main Results:

• The study details the lived experiences of the "dangerous class" in Tehran.
• It highlights how state power and economic forces shape their agency and visibility in the city.
• The research illustrates the conflicts and adaptations arising from the intersection of power and marginalized drug-using lives.

Conclusions:

• The "dangerous class" is a significant, albeit often invisible, presence in urban Iran.
• Power dynamics profoundly influence the lives and urban integration of drug users.
• The study contributes to understanding the complex relationship between marginalized groups, state power, and urban transformation.