NCJ Number
169913
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1997) Pages: 563-584
Date Published
1997
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Needs assessment data from two California counties were analyzed to determine how violence affects the lives of pregnant, low-income women who use drugs.
Abstract
The research took place in an urban Bay Area county with a large inner city and a major, semi-rural agricultural Central Valley county. Participants were recruited at public social service, health, and criminal justice agencies and community organizations. The research used self-report screening to determine the risk for heavier or problem drug use. A total of 401 of the 1,147 women met the screening threshold. The 401 at-risk participants reported significantly higher levels of drug-related violence when compared to the other 746 participants. Among all the participants, neighborhood drug-related problems, being born in the United States, meeting the screening threshold, and behind a minority were associated with reported drug-related violence among acquaintances. Among the drug-involved participants; neighborhood drug problems, being a minority woman; and being hurt, beaten, or exploited due to drugs were associated with violence reports. Findings indicated that strategies to prevent drug-related violence need to focus on the community as well as on the individual and the family. Tables, notes, and 57 references (Author abstract modified)