NCJ Number
135915
Date Published
1992
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study describes the use of drug abuse treatment and related perceptions among African American, Hispanic, and Anglo drug-using arrestees in Los Angeles.
Abstract
Between April 1988 and January 1990, 1,579 African American, Hispanic, and Anglo arrestees were interviewed in Los Angeles jails. After deletion of cases with missing data, the sample included 1,107 arrestees who reported a history of illicit drug use. Arrestees were asked to complete a supplement to the standard Drug Use Forecasting interview if they reported ever or currently being dependent on illicit drugs, ever or currently being in drug abuse treatment, or currently needing treatment. The supplemental interview included an open-ended question that asked arrestees why they had never been in drug abuse treatment or, if they had, why they were not in treatment at that time. The study extends prior research by, first, describing ethnic variation in treatment use through analyses that control for nonethnic demographic factors; and second, exploring the degree to which ethnicity is related to two predisposing factors (attitude toward treatment and perceived need) and two enabling factors (perceived cost and availability). After nonethnic demographic factors and past drug dependence were controlled, African American and Hispanic drugs users were less likely to report having been in drug abuse treatment. Hispanic drug users were more likely than Anglos to say they had not sought treatment because they do not need it. African American drug users were more likely than Anglos to hold unfavorable views of treatment. Implications are drawn. 2 tables and 22 references