Crystal Meth, “High Blood,” and Spiritual Manifestations Among Injection Drug-Using Youths in Mufakose, Harare

The discovery of illicit exchanges of "highblood" among injection drug-using youths has thrown families off balance in Mufakose. In this article, I explore the (ab)use of biomedical technologies by youths in administering crystal meth as well as the healing pathways pursued by families in cases of illness. I argue that experimenting with blood complicates understandings of meth-induced behaviors because of the meanings attached to blood in the African context. The article draws upon 6 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Mufakose among 30 crystal meth-using youths. I used deep hangouts, life histories, interactive observation, and focus group discussions.