SANDAG’s Criminal Justice Research Division has released its latest report on drug use and other risk factors among local juvenile arrestees. The data, collected in 2003 through a SANDAG project called “SAM” (Substance Abuse Monitoring), provides law enforcement agencies, treatment centers, and prevention programs with an in-depth look at drug use and other behavioral risks among adult and juvenile arrestees.
In 2003, 360 juvenile arrestees were interviewed as part of the SAM project – 344 of which provided a urine sample (282 boys and 62 girls). Fifty-six percent of these juveniles tested positive for some type of drug, while 49 percent tested positive for marijuana, and 15 percent tested positive for methamphetamines (i.e. meth). In addition, three percent of the youths interviewed tested positive for cocaine and one percent each for PCP and heroin.
Overall, 76 percent of the youth interviewed in 2003 reported that they had tried tobacco; 82 percent marijuana; and 28 percent meth. Other drugs which they reported ever trying included cocaine (16%), mushrooms (14%), inhalants (13%), ecstasy (12%), rohypnol (10%), crack (9%), LSD (6%), and heroin (3%).
As one might expect, lifetime drug experience among those interviewed varied with age. As age increased, the likelihood of having tried a substance also increased. Nonetheless, two-thirds of youth ages 11 to 13 reported having tried alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana at least once. Equally, disturbing is the fact that three-fourths or more reported that it was easy to obtain these substances.
Analysis showed that girls have different risk factors than boys. Specifically, girls were less likely to have a stable residence in the past 30 days; more likely to have been bullied; more likely to have run away from home; and more likely to have drug using parents. These increased risk factors should be addressed in order to meet the unique needs of female youth in the juvenile justice system.
The average age of this group of interviewees was 15.93 years, with an age range of 11.26 to 18.64 years.
Project Manager:
Cynthia Burke
619-699-1910
