NCJ Number
178457
Date Published
1999
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents the methodology and findings of the Homeless and Transient Population Study of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Drug Study (DC*MADS), which examined the prevalence and correlates of substance use among homeless people in the District of Columbia.
Abstract
To set the stage for the study, the chapter first examines the concept and changing definitions of homelessness that have been used over the past several decades, followed by a review of prior research on substance use among homeless people, as well as reasons for noted variation in substance-use prevalence rates. The DC*MADS Homeless and Transient Population Study was based on and provided a replication of Rossi's classic study of homeless people in Chicago (Rossi, 1989; Rossi et al., 1986). The research was designed to develop estimates of drug use and characteristics of the homeless and transient population in the District of Columbia metropolitan statistical area on an "average" day between February and June 1991. The initial design included two independent samples of shelters and census street blocks for the winter (February to March) and spring (April to May). Within each seasonal sample, units were randomly assigned to one of the 2- month periods, clustered geographically and then randomly assigned as a cluster to randomly sampled days in the month. Study findings are based on 908 in-person interviews conducted anonymously from four overlapping sampling frames. More than half had used illicit drugs during the past year, and one-third had used them during the past month. More than one-fourth drank alcohol heavily during the past month. These rates agree with data from prior studies. The chapter also discusses co-occurring problems and service use. Implications are drawn for program planning, welfare reform, and local policymakers. 3 tables, 3 figures, and 75 references