NCJ Number
147392
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 28 Issue: 11 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 1045-1084
Date Published
1993
Length
40 pages
Annotation
Data obtained from a longitudinal study of juvenile detainees in a southeastern State were used to examine the demographic and life experience factors related to their reported adverse effects of the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Abstract
Between December 1986 and April 1987, the researchers completed initial interviews with 399 unduplicated detainees admitted to a regional detention center. An interview strategy gave each youth a 4-month period in which to be reinterviewed. The researchers completed 305 interviews (236 males and 69 females) for a completion rate of 76.4 percent. The interviews and documentation addressed demographics, referral history, self-derogation, emotional/psychological functioning, physical abuse, alcohol and marijuana use before the initial interview, sexual victimization, urine testing for recent marijuana or cocaine use, and self- reported delinquent behavior. Data were also obtained on the self-reported adverse effects of alcohol and marijuana/hashish use. Longitudinal regression analyses identified similarities and differences in the significant predictors of the youths' reported adverse effects of the use of each substance during the year preceding their initial interviews and during the follow-up period. Results show that the youths' use of alcohol and especially marijuana/hashish is a vehicle for the expression of various personal difficulties and that their use of these two substances must be viewed in holistic terms. Findings underscore the importance of early intervention to prevent or reduce substance use among high-risk youth, particularly those entering the justice system. The researchers recommend replication of the research among samples of youths in different sociodemographic circumstances in various regions of the Nation. 8 tables, appended self-report delinquency items, and 54 references