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Comparison of Individual-Level and Community-Level Predictors of Marijuana and Cocaine Use Among a Sample of Newly Arrested Juvenile Offenders

NCJ Number
234923
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: April-June 2011 Pages: 114-134
Author(s)
Kristina Childs; Richard Dembo; Steven Belenko; Jennifer Wareham; James Schmeidler
Date Published
April 2011
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of various socio-demographic and community-level factors on marijuana and cocaine use among newly arrested juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Variations in drug use have been found across individual-level factors and community characteristics, and by type of drug used. Relatively little research, however, has examined this variation among juvenile offenders. Based on a sample of 924 newly arrested juvenile offenders, two multilevel logistic regression models predicting marijuana test result and cocaine test result were separately examined. The results highlighted a strong association between individual-level socio-demographic characteristics, most notably age and seriousness of arrest charge, and drug use. Residential stability was related to cocaine use, yet none of the community variables were related to marijuana use. These findings suggest that different risk factors are related to adolescent marijuana and cocaine use. The research implications of the findings are discussed. (Published Abstract)