Assessment of Methods Used by State and Local Governments To Estimate Drug Abuse Levels: Case Studies of the States of California, Colorado, New York and New Jersey

• NCJ Number: 133110
• Author(s): R H Milkman; E McDevitt; R Feldman; N Landson
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 298 pages
• Grant Number(s): 87-IJ-CX-0043
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Lazar Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents four case studies describing the data collection procedures and analytical methods used by State and local governments of California, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York to estimate levels of drug abuse in their jurisdictions.

Abstract

Each report discusses the State's main information sources; tabular and graphical presentations; methods of statistical inference; and policy implications related to resource allocation, legislation, and drug programs. The analyses conclude that California does a thorough job of collecting and analyzing drug-related data, especially treatment and survey data, although more detailed criminal justice data might broaden the knowledge base. Colorado and New York also do outstanding jobs with New York noteworthy for the wide variety of information sources on drug abuse. New Jersey does a thorough job of collecting criminal justice data, but does not use emergency room and death data and information from urine testing to the extent that it could. The most noteworthy aspect of New Jersey's system is its success at using drug data to influence policymaking. Footnotes, tables, figures, and appended data collection instruments and related information. For related reports, see NCJ-133108-9 and 133111.