![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
We report the results of latent growth model analyses examining the continuity of cocaine use among adolescents. This study examined a sample of 278 justice-involved juveniles completing at least one of three follow-up interviews as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse funded study. Latent growth models were analyzed examining (1) changes in cocaine use over time; (2) the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on cocaine use over time; and (3) the effects of family problem characteristics, deviant peer associations, physical abuse, sexual victimization, and emotional/psychological functioning on cocaine use over time. The results of our analyses indicated that cocaine use among these youths continued over time. Further, consistent with findings from existing literature, cocaine use was significantly related to drug using and delinquent peer associations, and marginally related to family problems with the justice system. Implications for policy and intervention service needs are discussed.