Prevalence of Alcohol and Drug Use in an Adolescent Training Facility

Abstract

This study investigates substance use and crimes among incarcerated adolescents. Chart reviews were conducted between 1997–2000 with 186 adolescent, male offenders, including information on demographics, substance use, and crimes. Results indicate that use of alcohol (88.7%) and marijuana (95.7%) was highly prevalent. The most widely committed crimes included possession of a controlled substance (31.8%), receiving stolen goods (17.8%), and violation of probation (17.2%). Significant differences were observed across racial/ethnic groups; White nonHispanic adolescents were more likely to use cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin than adolescents of other races. Future research examining relationships between criminal behavior, substance use, and cultural variations in use patterns and delinquency will allow more relevant intervention and prevention strategies in this population.

Resumen

Este estudio investiga el uso de substancia y crímenes entre adolescentes encarcelados. Las revisiones del mapa se condujeron con 186 adolescente, masculino, ofensores inclusive información en demográfico, el uso de substancia, y los crímenes. Los resultados indican ese uso de alcohol (88.7%) y la marijuana (95.7%) era sumamente predominante. La mayoría crímenes extensamente cometidos incluyeron la posesión de una substancia (31.8% controlada), los bienes (17.8% hurtados recipientes), y la infracción de la libertad condicional (17.2%). Las diferencias significativas se observaron a través de racial/los grupos étnicos; adolescentes no Hispanos Blancos eran más probable de usar cocaína, los alucinógenos, y la heroína que adolescentes de otras carreras. Investigación futura examinando las relaciones entre la conducta criminal, el uso de substancia y variaciones culturales en modelos de uso y delincuencia permitirán las estrategias más pertinentes de la intervención y la prevención en esta población.

Résumé

Ce examine substance et crimes entre incarcéré. Ont été dirigé avec 186 adolescent, mâle, offenseurs y compris information sur démographique, substance, et crimes. Les résultats indiquent cet usage d'alcool (88.7%) et la marijuana (95.7%) était extrêmement courant. Les crimes le plus largement commis ont inclus la possession d'une substance réglé (31.8%), la réception articles volé (17.8%), et la violation de probation (17.2%). Significatif différences ont été observé à travers racial/ethnique groupes; Blanc non-hispanique adolescents étaient utiliser cocaïne, hallucinogens, et héroïne qu'adolescents d'autre races. Avenir recherche examiner entre, substance et dans usage et permettra plus intervention et dans cette population.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rebecca Lebeau-Craven

Rebecca Lebeau-Craven received her M.P.H. at Boston University in 2000 and is currently a Project Coordinator at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University coordinating two projects that investigate the use of brief intervention of alcohol use with young adults. She has been at the Center since 1996.

Lynda Stein

Linda A. R. Stein, Ph.D., is at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University. She is Assistant Professor (research) of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. She has been at the Center since 1998.

Nancy Barnett

Dr. Nancy Barnett received her doctorate in 1997 from the University of Washington and is currently Assistant Professor (Research) at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University. She conducts research on brief interventions for substance use among adolescents and young adults, including college students.

Suzanne M. Colby

Dr. Suzanne Colby received her doctorate in 1996 from the University of Rhode Island. Currently she is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Alcohol & Addiction Studies at Brown University. She conducts research on the affects of nicotine withdrawal in adolescents as well as brief interventions for adolescent smokers.

Joe L. Smith

Joe Smith, L.C.D.P., C.A.S., P.C.S., is a Program Director for Phoenix House, a program located at the RI Training School since October 1993. He has been in the human service field for 19 years and in the substance abuse field for 15 years.

Anna L. Canto

Anna L. Canto, C.D.P., received her Associates in Fine Arts in Mental Health. She is currently senior substance abuse counselor at the RI Training School. She has been in substance abuse for seven years, including substance abuse education, prevention, intervention, and therapeutic counseling.