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Adult Arrestee Drug Use in the San Diego Region 2007

NCJ Number
225391
Author(s)
Cynthia Burke Ph.D.
Date Published
August 2008
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Data presented from the San Diego (California) Substance Abuse Monitoring (SAM) program (arrestee self-reports and urinalysis) for 2007 address individual and multiple drug use, drug market dynamics, arrestee criminal history, participation in other risky behaviors, and prior receipt of drug and/or mental health treatment.
Abstract
In 2007, 69 percent of female arrestees and 57 percent of male arrestees booked into jail in San Diego County tested positive for an illegal drug. Fewer arrestees tested positive for drugs in 2007 compared to previous years, with the greatest decrease occurring in the use of methamphetamine (meth) by male arrestees. In addition to meth, data are reported on current arrestee use of marijuana, cocaine/crack, heroin, “other drugs” (illegal use of prescription drugs and any other type of illegal drug), and alcohol and tobacco use. Most individuals who tested positive for any drug in 2007 only tested positive for one drug; however, 20 percent of men and approximately 26 percent of women tested positive for multiple substances. In addition to recent drug use varying by gender, it also varied with the arrestee’s age, ethnicity, employment status, and prior justice system contact. This report provides data on how these factors variously affected arrestees’ use of specific drug types. Market dynamics reported by arrestees varied by drug type. One in three of arrestees interviewed reported current or prior gang involvement, with no difference by gender. Just over one-third of arrestees reported receiving drug treatment previously; only about half successfully completed it. Half of the arrestees had a prior history of homelessness, and one-fifth had mental health issues. One in four arrestees reported previous visits to the emergency room for a reason related to their alcohol or other drug use. Only one in three currently had health insurance. 6 tables and 24 figures