NCJ Number
155055
Journal
Public Health Reports Volume: 106 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1991) Pages: 384-392
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The use of telephone survey methods to collect data on self- reported illicit drug use was assessed by comparing marijuana and cocaine use prevalence rates in households with telephones and households without telephones.
Abstract
Rates of marijuana use were substantially higher among households without telephones than households with telephones (24.9 percent versus 9.4 percent). Trends in drug use were divergent, with substantial decreases in use occurring between 1985 and 1988 in households with telephones, but not in households without. The data on households with telephones were consistent with previously established patterns and trends. However, the results showed that surveys conducted by telephone produced underestimates of illicit drug use prevalence. A 1988 telephone survey showed estimated rates of marijuana and cocaine to be 5.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively; rates obtained in a personal visit survey found rates of 8.0 percent for marijuana and 3.1 percent for cocaine use. 10 tables and 2 references