NCJ Number
199390
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2003 Pages: 127-139
Date Published
January 2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined correlates between recent benzodiazepine use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug use among adult arrestees.
Abstract
Although marijuana and cocaine remain the dominant drug used by adult arrestees, benzodiazepine use is on the rise, surpassing that of opiate use in several jurisdictions. In order to examine associations between recent benzodiazepine use, demographic characteristics, and alcohol and other drug use among adult arrestees, the authors sampled 862 adult Philadelphia arrestees who were interviewed in 1997 as part of the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression revealed that, in comparison to non-users, benzodiazepine users were more likely to be white, to have tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP), and to have used alcohol and barbiturates during the 3 days prior to the interview. Furthermore, the data revealed that benzodiazepine use was nine times more likely in arrestees who reported 3-day barbiturate use. Limitations of the study include the fact that the ADAM Program is not necessarily generalizable across different populations. Moreover, the ADAM Program drug testing method does not allow for the distinction between different types of benzodiazepines. Future drug testing programs should attempt to differentiate between types of benzodiazepines in order to allow law enforcement and treatment communities to make informed policy decisions concerning treatment and punishment options. Tables, references