Small group dynamics and drug abuse in an Army setting: a case study

Drug abuse has been subjected to a myriad of empirical and theoretical explorations which have attempted to explicate its occurrence as a sociobehavioral phenomenon. The study of the organization of drug-related behavioral manifestations requires the investigation of variant psychosocial, situational, environmental, and structural variables. Small groups within the military establishment are relatively numerous and vitally important. A sense of comradeship exists within such groups and troop morale is frequently facilitated by their existence. The purpose of this paper is to present a descriptive case study of the role of the small group as a central organizing locus around which drug abuse in an army setting revolves. The data presented were collected from subpopulations identified in the course of an epidemiological study of drug and alcohol use at a military post. The paper describes the small group observed in terms of its functional relationships and interactive dynamics. The case study data are presented relative to role differentiation within the group, group norms, values, boundaries, identity, sanctions, and controls. These concepts are examined with a view toward assessing the manner in which drug abuse is initiated, maintained, and controlled via small group dynamics.