Illicit Drug Initiation Among Institutionalized Drug Users in China

• NCJ Number: 195260
• Journal: Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 575-582
• Author(s): Xiaoming Li; Yong Zhou; Bonita Stanton
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined the circumstances and correlates associated with the initiation of illicit drug use among institutionalized drug users in China.

Abstract

Study data were obtained from November to December 1996 as part of a larger study that was examining drug-use intervention and treatment programs in southwest China. Participants were 833 drug users (734 males and 99 females) selected randomly from the rosters of 4 of the 8 Provincial institutions of compulsory drug abstinence by education through labor (ICDAEL) in Yunnan Province and 2 of the 4 Provincial ICDAELs in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The study measured the circumstances of illicit drug initiation (age, type of drugs, routes of drug administration, social setting, source of drugs, reasons for drug use), the risk behavior, and risk perceptions prior to drug initiation. The study found that the majority of participants began drug use with heroin (90 percent). Initial drugs were frequently administered through sniffing/snorting (55 percent) and smoking cigarettes mixed with a drug (38 percent). First drug use occurred most commonly at a friend's home (65 percent) and in the company of other drug users (83 percent). Drugs were generally provided free for first-time use by other drug users (72 percent). Reasons for first drug use included experimentation (90 percent), being lured into drugs by other people (44 percent), and relaxation (42 percent). Most drug users had a history of regular cigarette smoking (89 percent), alcohol consumption (49 percent), and deviant behaviors (51 percent) prior to their drug initiation. The majority perceived that their friends (90 percent) and neighbors (88 percent) used illicit drugs. These findings are similar to those of studies in western countries regarding the pattern and correlates of illicit drug-use initiation; this underscores the need for drug prevention efforts in China. 5 tables and 33 references