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Relationship Between Gang and Other Group Involvement and the Use of Illicit Drugs: Findings From Maryland's Offender Population Urinalysis Screening (OPUS) Program

NCJ Number
188887
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 1-11
Author(s)
George S. Yacoubian Jr.; Delcie G. Rico; Elisabeth Fost; Blake J. Urbach; Eric D. Wish
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether the drug-using behaviors of "gang" members were comparable to "other group" (e.g., "crew" and "posse") members and to non-group members.
Abstract
During the past three decades, several scholarly works have examined the relationship between gang involvement and the use of illegal drugs. To date, however, only one study has examined this association with an objective measure of drug use. Moreover, no studies have collected biological specimens from members of groups that call themselves something other than a gang. In the current study, self-report drug use data and urine specimens were collected from 297 juvenile offenders interviewed through Maryland's Offender Population Urinalysis Screening Program between April 10, 2000, and August 31, 2000. After demographic data and urine specimens were collected, interviewers administered the gang survey. The first question asked the offender whether he/she was currently a member of a "gang." No definition for the term was provided, so inclusion in a "gang" was based on the offender's subjective assessment. If no "gang" membership was reported, the offender was asked if he/she was a member of a group that called itself something other than a gang (e.g., "crew" or "posse"). If no membership in this "other group" was reported, the interview was terminated. If membership in a "gang" or "other group" was reported, the remainder of the survey was administered. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses indicate that "other group" members were more likely to use marijuana than "gang" members and non-group members. These findings are consistent with the work of Mieczkowski (1986), who identified that gang members rejected the personal use of illegal drugs because their organizations were in the business of drug sales. Suggestions for future research are offered. 3 tables and 23 references

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