NCJ Number
138849
Date Published
1989
Length
289 pages
Annotation
Using sample data collected from 387 minority male adolescents who lived in economically distressed areas of the District of Colombia, this study examined the involvement of these youth in the sale or use of illicit drugs and provided information to policymakers to help in designing drug prevention and treatment programs. The subjects in the sample filled out a detailed questionnaire relating to their drug use, drug sales, and other delinquent acts, as well as information on family, school, peer, and personal characteristics.
Abstract
The results indicated that, while 80 percent of the respondents reported no involvement with illegal drugs, 4 percent of the sample group had sold and used drugs in the past year, 9 percent had sold but did not use drugs, and 7 percent had used drugs but had not sold them. The findings indicated that heavier drug users and frequent sellers committed more frequent and more serious crimes than did others. Drug users differed from nonusers in several aspects, including inter alia, more alcohol and drug use among other members of the household, less similarity to parents on important values, a lower level of home environment quality and support, and less interest in school. Only 40 percent of the respondents had received information concerning drug use as part of their regular classroom instruction. Based on these findings, the authors maintain that an effective, multifaceted intervention strategy must utilize the schools, the home, the mass media, and the community. 47 exhibits, 2 notes, 89 references, and 1 appendix.