NCJ Number
146211
Date Published
1990
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) study investigated the level of drug use among male arrestees in 20 U.S. cities and the level of drug use among female arrestees in 14 U.S. cities using data collected between November 1987 and December 1988.
Abstract
Data from 10,554 males and 3,261 females reflected the arrestee's current charge, drug type, self-reported drug use, age of first drug use, drug dependency, self-reported need for drug treatment, and the possible relationship between drug use and particular offense types. Arrestees were selected by charge according to the following priority order: nondrug felony charges, nondrug misdemeanor charges, drug felony charges, drug misdemeanor charges, and warrants for any other charge. Some arrestees agreed to provide a urine sample. Data were collected on arrestee age, ethnicity, sex, education, marital status, and employment status. Drugs tested for among arrestees included marijuana, opiates, cocaine, PCP, methadone, benzodiazepines (Valium), methaqualone, propoxyphene (Darvon), barbiturates, and amphetamines. Questions were asked about recent and past use, age at first use, and age of dependency. Other topics covered by questions concerned type of offense for which arrested, injection history, drug and alcohol treatment history, and treatment needs. Although data resulting from the analysis are tabulated separately, a data completeness and consistency report, the study instruments, and a program procedures manual are included. Supplemental information on the DUF sites and data variables is appended. 25 references and 5 tables