The Opiate Pain Reliever Epidemic among U.S. Arrestees 2000–2010: Regional and Demographic Variations

Abstract

The increasing rate of opiate pain reliever (OPR) use is a pressing concern in the United States. This article uses a drug epidemics framework to examine OPR use among arrestees surveyed by the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program. Results demonstrate regional and demographic variation in use across nine focal cities. High rates of OPR use on the West Coast illustrate the expansion of use from its initial epicenter. By 2010, OPR use had plateaued in all focal cities. Findings suggest directions for ongoing research into pathways to use and vectors of diffusion and for regionally specific interventions sensitive to age and ethnic diversity.

KEYWORDS:

• drug epidemics
• opiate pain relievers
• arrestees

Notes

^a Reference Category.

—Parameter estimates not shown because variation with this variable was not statistically significant.

*Statistically significant at the α = .05 level. **Statistically significant at the α = .01 level.

A blunt is an inexpensive cigar in which the tobacco is replaced with marijuana. Many youths, especially African Americans, prefer to smoke marijuana in a blunt as opposed to a joint or pipe. We use the term Marijuana/Blunts Epidemic to distinguish the more recent upsurge in marijuana use starting in the 1990s from the widespread marijuana use that prevailed in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lil Wayne “Me and My Drank” lyrics copied from MetroLyrics.com: http://www.metrolyrics.com/me-and-my-drank-lyrics-lil-wayne.html#ixzz1iJRQZvUM.