NCJ Number
173619
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 1998 Pages: 437-454
Date Published
1998
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the results of a study of the use of illicit drugs and related problems in groups that are often "hidden" populations at high risk for drug abuse: sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients, emergency room patients, and arrestees housed in jail.
Abstract
Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 1992-94 with 5,168 subjects from STD clinics, hospital emergency rooms (ERs), and jails in Los Angeles County, Calif. The interviews collected information on the prevalence of illicit drug use, medical care, HIV/AIDS risk behaviors (sexual behaviors and injection), STD history, and criminal/arrest history. Descriptive statistics were developed on drug-use prevalence, HIV risk behaviors, and arrest history for each of the three sources. Extensive drug involvement and other HIV risk behaviors were reported by all three samples. Excluding marijuana, crack, and cocaine were the most prevalent drugs used; the rate of positive cocaine urinalysis was 8.5 percent for STD subjects, 18.1 percent for ER subjects, and 52.8 percent for the arrestees. Approximately 49 percent of ER samples also reported having arrest records. Current use of heroin and cocaine was highly associated with multiple sex partners and an arrest record. The study confirmed the high prevalence of drug abuse and other high-risk behaviors in these samples. The importance of targeting these groups for early identification and intervention is underscored. 7 tables and 23 references