NCJ Number
163169
Date Published
1996
Length
146 pages
Annotation
Findings from the drugs self-report component of the 1994 British Crime Survey address the consumption of any drug, the consumption of different numbers of drugs, drug-use histories or careers, the use of various drugs, patterns of consumption, social dimensions, and ethnic comparisons.
Abstract
After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the drugs component of the 1994 British Crime Survey, the report presents data on the consumption of any drug and different numbers of drugs, as well as drug-use histories or careers. Focusing on the 16- to 19-year-old age group, which had the highest levels of drug use, 20 percent reported drug use in the last month, compared to 46 percent that reported using drugs at some time in their lives. Drug use was reported by more males than females, and drug use diminished with age. Few respondents had taken large numbers of different drugs. Data on the use of specific types of drugs address cannabis, stimulants and hallucinogenic drugs, opiate type drugs, and other drugs. Data on consumption patterns pertain to the selection of certain types of substances. A discussion of the social dimensions of drug use focuses on the geographical variables of respondents as well as individual/household variables. A booster sample of some 1,800 minority ethnic group respondents was added to the main sample to explore ethnic differences in drug use; whites and Afro-Caribbeans had similar levels of drug use on a lifetime basis. Regression modeling is discussed in one chapter, followed by a discussion of the implications for drug prevention of various factors that predict drug abuse. 74 references and a subject index