NCJ Number
177484
Journal
Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1998 Pages: 270-275
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Demographic factors, drug use severity indicators, social resources, and personal perceptions were tested as correlates of drug problem recognition among 90 Mexican American drug-using arrestees.
Abstract
Between 1991 and 1993, participants were recruited into a longitudinal study of help-seeking and recovery among Mexican American drug users who were being in Los Angeles city or county jails. The study involved an intake interview and a follow-up interview 2 years later. Of the 90 Mexican Americans in the sample, 21 percent were women, 13 percent were employed, and 11 percent were married. The mean age of the sample was 29.6 years, and the mean age at first drug use was 13.9 years. Subjective recognition of drug use problems was measured as an addictive index of Likert-type items. Predisposing factors of interest in the study were polydrug use, neighborhood drug-alcohol problems, marital status, and days of recent use. Enabling factors included conventional moral beliefs and perceived treatment benefit. Multivariate regression analysis found lifetime polydrug use and conventional moral beliefs were key determinants of the perception that one's own drug use was a problem. Implications of the findings for help-seeking and involvement in treatment by Mexican American drug users are examined. 9 references and 1 table