DRUG ARREST - EMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE AGE, SEX, AND RACE OF DRUG LAW OFFENDERS IN A MIDWESTERN CITY

• NCJ Number: 54284
• Journal: Drug Forum Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 371-386
• Author(s): D M PETERSEN; K P SCHWIRIAN; S E BLEDA
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 16 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Ohio Dept of Economic and Community Development
• Corporate Author: Baywood Publishing Co, Inc.
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ALL DRUG ARRESTS CULLED FROM THE 1969-1971 RECORDS OF THE COLUMBUS, OHIO, POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE SAMPLED IN THIS STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF AGE, SEX, AND RACE ON VARIATIONS IN ARREST RATES AND TYPES OF DRUGS INVOLVED.

Abstract

A TOTAL OF 2,393 DRUG-RELATED ARRESTS WERE IDENTIFIED FOR THE 3-YEAR PERIOD. THE FINDINGS SHOW CONSIDERABLE VARIATION IN ARREST RATES BY AGE, SEX, AND RACE CATEGORIES. THE OVERALL ARREST RATES FOR BLACKS (PER 1000) IS GREATER THAN FOR WHITES. ALSO, THE RATE FOR MALES IS GREATER THAN FOR FEMALES. FURTHER, THE DATA SHOW CONSIDERABLE VARIATION BY AGE, REACHING A HIGH ARREST RATE IN THE 20- THROUGH 24-YEAR RANGE AND DECLINING CONTINUALLY THEREAFTER. ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLE IN ACCOUNTING FOR ARREST RATE VARIATIONS IS AGE. IN ADDITION, SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS IN THE DRUGS INVOLVED WERE MANIFEST BY AGE, SEX, AND RACE. OLDER OFFENDERS TENDED MORE TOWARD NARCOTICS AND BARBITUATES, WHILE YOUNGER USERS FAVORED MARIHUANA AND HALLUCINOGENIC COMPOUNDS. THE DIFFERENCES BY AGE WERE SHOWN TO REMAIN WITH BOTH RACE AND SEX CONTROLLED. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--KBL)