NCJ Number
119825
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 41 Issue: 1 & 2, double issue Dated: (1989) Pages: 29-40
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This review of survey techniques in assessing drug abuse focuses on how surveys fit into the larger picture of drug epidemiology, the different types of survey designs, the research purposes each design services, and the advantages and limitations of the survey technique for assessing drug use in a population.
Abstract
The discussion also considers the current movement toward international comparability in measures and methods used in such surveys and the advantages this development has for the comparison and integration of findings across countries. The analysis concludes that the survey technique is a critical component in any epidemiological assessment program in the field of drug abuse. Such work is probably best done by professionals with formal training in social science research methods, particularly in survey research methods. It is particularly important to obtain professional assistance in designing the survey instrument. Survey designs include the cross-sectional survey, the repeated cross-sectional survey, the panel study, and the repeated panel study. Each design can be applied to different populations, such as the general household population, school populations, and prison populations. 24 references. (Author abstract modified)