NCJ Number
139346
Date Published
1990
Length
156 pages
Annotation
The characteristics that differentiate drug-involved youth from youth who have stayed away from drugs were studied using data gathered in 1988 from 387 minority male adolescents of 9th and 10th grade age living in economically distressed sections of the District of Columbia.
Abstract
The youths were 96 percent black and 4 percent Hispanic. Three hundred and seven were selected randomly from public schools serving the poorest sections of the District. Another 80 adolescents were randomly selected from community centers serving the same areas of the city. The youths were interviewed by trained minority interviewers. The study divided the youths into four categories: those who only used drugs, those who only sold drugs, those who did both, and those who did neither. The information on the youths in each category was analyzed to assess differences and similarities among categories on a number of demographic, school, personality, family and peer relations, and attitude characteristics. A major finding was that adolescents who sold but did not use drugs differ in important respects from users, whether or not they sell. In addition, although many adolescents are involved in drug use, drug sales, and related criminal activities, the majority are not involved. Results indicated the need for several types of improvements in drug prevention and intervention efforts, including intervention strategies tailored to the characteristics of the different groups. Tables and 87 references (Author summary modified)