NCJ Number
115764
Journal
International Journal of the Addictions Volume: 23 Issue: 10 Dated: (1988) Pages: 1071-1081
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
In this study, drug-related data from three sources are compared to determine similarities and differences in drug use among three population groups: those who come into contact with law enforcement agencies, high school students, and those enrolled in treatment programs.
Abstract
The three measures used to assess the pattern of drug activity in Baltimore County, Md., were police data, treatment data, and adolescent data. Although the three measures of drug activity are not directly comparable to each other and represent three populations which partially overlap, the data can be used to assess general drug-use patterns, such as relative proportions of adults and juveniles using drugs and the types of drugs used by each age group. Drug use as measured by the adolescent survey is more widespread than other measures indicate; however, it also indicates that the majority of public high school students are not current drug users. The treatment data provide information about those who are dysfunctional due to drug use; these data are therefore useful in allocating funds for treatment programs. The police data apparently reflect both the pattern of drug use among the general population and the level of law enforcement resources used to enforce drug laws. 3 tables, 20 references.