NCJ Number
229139
Journal
Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 2009. Pages: 356-365
Date Published
October 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explored homeless youths' perspectives on the power of drugs in their lives, the preferred type of drugs used, barriers to treatment, and strategies to prevent drug initiation and abuse.
Abstract
Reported reasons for drug use were youth felt that certain drugs, specifically marijuana and alcohol, caused little harm. Youth explained that the two substances were popular because of their cost and accessibility. Youth expressed myriad of reasons behind their own substance use as well as their peers, with one reason used often, to feel better about themselves. Youth disagreed on the success of drug treatment as a way to discourage drug use. Some youth felt that they were dependent on drugs and could not survive without them. Some youth were not interested in treatment because they enjoyed using drugs, and some youth did not think that counselors at drug treatment facilities understood their plight. Reiterating the importance of personal choice, youth stated a variety of factors, including their family, decreasing interest, and realization of their problem, could play into youths' reduction of drug use. A lack of interest, fear of its effects, and its wounding impact on their goals were reasons homeless youth stopped using drugs. Drug and alcohol use is pervasive among homeless youth. The purpose of this study was to investigate how homeless youth viewed the power of drugs and positive and negative aspects of social support on youths' drug and alcohol use. A better understanding of youths' perceptions of the power of drugs and resources that exist in the community may be key in providing practical solutions to protecting homeless youth from the dangers of drug and alcohol use. References