NCJ Number
189519
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 293-324
Date Published
2001
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This study focused on race-specific gender differences in the use of drugs.
Abstract
Data were obtained from the 1995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). Race-specific gender differences were examined in the ages of onset drug use, the specific class of drug used first, and the pairs of drugs that groups reported using. Analysis was also used to partially test whether the best fitting model that Kandel and associates found for female subjects in their sample also held in this cross-sectional sample. Also tested was the question of whether the same model held across race-specific female groups. The four models used were: (1) where both alcohol and cigarettes preceded marijuana, which in turn preceded cocaine and crack cocaine; (2) either alcohol or cigarettes were assumed to precede marijuana; (3) only alcohol preceded marijuana; and (4) only cigarettes preceded marijuana. Results showed that the average age of first use of specific drugs differed by race/ethnicity. White females reported being older when they first used cigarettes than when they first used marijuana. Black females initiated the use of marijuana and alcoholic beverages at about the same age, then started smoking cigarettes. Hispanic females initiated marijuana use 2 years before alcoholic beverages, and then crack cocaine about one-half year later. Results also revealed that of the pathways of involvement of drugs presented by Kandel and associates, Model 1, with both alcohol and cigarettes preceding marijuana, was the best fitting model. The data further indicated that Model 1 remained the best fitting across race-ethnic groups but repeatedly classified fewer women than Model 2. 1 figure, 8 tables, 8 notes, and 52 references