NCJ Number
214535
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 45-59
Date Published
February 2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the process of marginalization both before and after the start of crack drug use among a sample of young current and former crack users in the Netherlands.
Abstract
Results indicated that the sample of young crack users was marginalized before the start of crack use due to problematic family relations and poor educational attainment. However, once this group began using crack cocaine, their marginalization increased. Their social networks were reduced and eventually were comprised of mainly other crack users and they engaged in illegal activities to buy crack, furthering their marginalization from mainstream society. Their health also suffered, with many in the sample experiencing respiratory problems, poor physical fitness, heart palpitations, paranoia, and other mental health problems. The authors also found a link between crack use, homelessness, and marginalization. The findings also revealed that younger crack users were more likely to successfully end their drug addiction. Implications of the findings for prevention and treatment are considered as the authors note that drug-assistance programs for young crack users should be improved since this is the group most likely to successfully beat their addiction. Participants were 30 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 years who engaged in face-to-face interviews from June through December 2003. Half of the participants were current crack users and half were former users who were recruited through organizations that work with youth and through personal contact in parks, shopping malls, and community centers. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the Constant Comparative Method. Note, references, appendix