Problems and Solutions for Estimating the Prevalence of Drug Abuse Among Arrestees

• NCJ Number: 169749
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 689-701
• Author(s): H Chen; R C Stephens; D C Cochran; H K Huff
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 13 pages
• Contract Number(s): 270-92-0008
• Sponsoring Agency: Ohio Dept of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This paper presents a statistical model to estimate drug use among arrestees who refuse to take urine tests.

Abstract

The Drug Use Forecasting program is an important national data set that estimates the prevalence of psychoactive drug use among recent arrestees. However, because provision of urine samples is voluntary and many arrestees refuse to provide specimens, reliance on urinalysis results in estimating prevalence of use may lead to inaccurate estimates. This paper describes a selection model to estimate drug use among those arrestees who refuse to take urine tests. The results indicate that those arrestees who refuse urine testing generally have a higher percentage of drug use than those who agree to take the test. Furthermore, the model provides important information on the nature of those who would have tested positive had they provided a specimen. Use of the selection model thus allows the urine testing procedure to remain voluntary while generating crucial data on the extent of drug use among arrestees. Figure, tables, notes, references