Comparing and Integrating Findings Across Populations (From Drug Use in Metropolitan America, P 267-296, 1999, Robert M. Bray and Mary Ellen Marsden, eds. -- See NCJ-178453)

• NCJ Number: 178461
• Author(s): Robert M. Bray; Larry A. Kroutil; Sara C. Wheeless
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC.

Annotation

This chapter builds on work from prior relevant research as it examines and quantifies the contribution of nonhousehold data to estimates of drug use and problems in the general population for the Household and Nonhousehold Populations Study, which is part of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Drug Study (DC*MADS).

Abstract

It first describes the study's approach to combining data among members of household, institutionalized, and homeless or transient populations aged 12 or older into a "composite" population. These three populations were selected because, conceptually, they represent the full range of independent living situations that cover all persons in the civilian population. Findings about drug use prevalence (percentages and numbers of users) are next presented for household, nonhousehold, and composite populations. These results show the relative size of the drug use problem in one metropolitan area and the effect that adding data from nonhousehold populations has on estimates based on the household data alone. This is followed by an examination of the drug-use prevalence of three high-risk, drug-abusing subgroups in the composite population: crack cocaine users, heroin users, and needle users. The implications of the findings are considered for future studies that attempt to estimate prevalence rates and treatment needs. 5 figures, 2 tables, and 40 references