Ethnic and Gender Differences in Drug Users' Perceived Need for Treatment

• NCJ Number: 135920
• Author(s): D Longshore; S-C Hsieh; M D Anglin
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 27 pages
• Grant Number(s): 88-IJ-CX-K005; 89-IJ-CX-R007; 89-IJ-R-007; 90-IJ-CX-0044; K02 DA00146
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); National Institute on Drug Abuse; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: University of California, Los Angeles
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: To be published in the International Journal of the Addictions (1992)

Annotation

This paper identifies demographic differences in perceived need for treatment among a sample of 1,170 drug-using arrestees interviewed in the city and county jails of Los Angeles.

Abstract

Data were obtained between April 1988 and January 1990. Arrestees were asked about perceived need for treatment, self-reported drug dependence, drug-related legal problems, attitudes toward professional care and treatment for drug use, and heroin use. Perceived need for treatment was positively related to the following predisposing factors: self-reported drug dependence, attitude toward treatment for drug use, and occurrence of drug-related problems other than dependence. Self-reported drug dependence was higher among women and accounted for the greater perceived need reported by women. Hispanics were less likely to perceive a need for treatment. Among daily drug users, both Hispanics and African Americans were less likely to indicate a need for treatment. These ethnic differences were not explained by self-reported drug dependence or any other predisposing factor. Implications of the findings for treatment referral, intake, and counseling are discussed. 34 references, 5 notes, and 6 tables (Author abstract modified)