TRACKING PROCEDURES IN FOLLOW-UP STUDIES OF DRUG ABUSERS (FROM DRUG ABUSE - MODERN TRENDS, ISSUES, AND PERSPECTIVES, 1978, BY ARNOLD SCHECTER ET AL - SEE NCJ-48582)

• NCJ Number: 48589
• Author(s): P J GOLDSTEIN; W ABBOTT; W PAIGE; I SOBEL; F SATO
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 26 pages
• Corporate Author: Marcel Dekker, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE 2ND NATIONAL DRUG ABUSE CONFERENCE, NEW ORLEANS (LA), 1975

Annotation

TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATING AND CONTACTING RESEARCH SUBJECTS IN STUDIES OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED, WITH REFERENCE TO THE EXPERIENCES OF RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELD SURVEY UNIT OF NEW YORK'S DRUG ABUSE CONTROL AGENCY.

Abstract

DISTINCTIONS ARE DRAWN AMONG INFORMAL, FORMAL, AND CONTROL NETWORKS THAT COMPRISE THE 'SOCIO-INFORMATIONAL' COMPLEX IN WHICH THE SUBJECTS EXIST AND THROUGH WHICH THEY CAN BE LOCATED. THE INFORMAL NETWORK CONSISTS OF ASSOCIATIONS CHARACTERIZED BY INTIMACY AND IMMEDIACY (FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, ETC.). THE FORMAL NETWORK INCLUDES THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS (LANDLORDS, WELFARE AND OTHER AGENCIES, PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, SCHOOLS, ETC.) WITH WHICH MOST PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTS. THE CONTROL NETWORK CONSISTS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT A SUBJECT CONTACTS BY VIRTUE OF HAVING BEEN LABELED DEVIANT (POLICE, TREATMENT PROGRAMS, COUNSELORS, PRISONS, HOSPITALS, ETC.). THE PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY EACH NETWORK TO RESEARCHERS ATTEMPTING TO TRACK SUBJECTS ARE DISCUSSED AND ILLUSTRATED. TRACKING STEPS ARE OUTLINED, AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES ARE DISCUSSED. THE ISSUE OF CONFIDENTIALITY IS ADDRESSED. RESEARCHERS ARE URGED TO KEEP COMPLETE RECORDS OF ALL STEPS IN THE TRACKING PROCESS AND TO BE PERSEVERANT. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)