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Minority Supplement to Pathways to
High-Risk Drug Abuse Among Urban Youth
Research Method:
Basic Research
Principal Investigators:
Jose Garcia, B.A. (PI), Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
Grant:
Minority Supplement from NIDA Office
of Special Populations 1 R01 DA13140
Partners:
Dates of Study:
2000-2001
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Abstract
This one-year study is a supplement to the four-year "Pathways
to High-Risk Drug Abuse Among Urban Youth" study that
seeks to understand the factors responsible for the transition
from "soft" or "gateway" drug use (monthly
alcohol, marijuana or one other drug use) to "hard"
drug use (weekly heroine or cocaine use) among youth ages 16-24.
The parent project identified involvement in street drug sales
as one of the primary mechanisms through which youth initiate
their own cocaine and heroin use. Focusing on a predominantly
Latino area of Hartford, CT, this supplemental study uses ethnographic
research (participant observation and informal interviews) to
understand in greater depth the social and economic contexts
related to drug selling among youth, and its effect on facilitating
drug use transitions. |
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Project
Details
The study was completed in August 2001. Project
staff observed urban and suburban young adults in two clubs
and two after-hours settings in Hartford where young adults
were using and distributing drugs. Individuals were interviewed
to ascertain current drug distribution activities and their
reasons for being involved in drug sales. The study examined
individual's perception of, and involvement in, opportunities
for legitimate employment, and the economic relationship between
legitimate businesses and drug selling. Study results reported
income as a major factor that influences Latino youth's entrance
into drug selling: individuals involved in drug sales and not
otherwise employed earn twice the amount of those not selling
but legitimately employed. Often, formal economic infrastructures
(e.g., small businesses, restaurants, stores) provide a safe
location for individuals to sell drugs, as well as providing
many of the technologies (beepers, cell phones) that are used
by urban drug selling youth. The informal economy of drug selling
provides an economic safety net for many Latino youth and their
families in Hartford; trading stolen goods, using money made
from selling drugs in local stores, and building businesses
with income generated by drug selling relatives fuels the economy
of urban avenues. Eliminating drug use and drug selling from
these avenues would have a significant negative effect on neighborhood
businesses and income.
View findings from this project |
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Link
to Research Methods page
Link
to Basic Research Methods page
Links to other ICR projects:
Pathways
to High-Risk Drug Abuse Among Urban Youth
Supplement to Pathways: Club
Drugs
Urban Lifestyles: Club Drugs,
Resource Inequities and Health Risks in Urban Youth
Publications and Presentations
García, J., Schensul, J., Heubner, C., Burkholder,
G. Segmenting the Market: Diffusing Drugs in Urban Networks
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