Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Synthetic Drug Users in San Diego and Washington, DC, 1990
Description
This data collection offers information on socioeconomic and
demographic characteristics of synthetic drug users, characteristics of
synthetic drug use such as frequency and method of intake, and factors
that prompt drug users to begin to use synthetic drugs or to switch
from agricultural drugs to synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs
investigated in the collection include PCP, ice, ecstasy, and speed,
while nonsynthetic drugs include alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine,
and crack. Patterns of use for all of these drugs are explored.
Questions about specific drugs include whether the respondent had ever
used the drug, age first used, number of days in the past 30 days the
drug was used, whether the drug was used more than two times per week,
method of drug intake, and the drug used most often by the respondent
and by the respondent's friends. Additional variables include reasons
for preferring synthetic or nonsynthetic drugs, reasons the respondent
would discontinue use or switch to another drug, availability and cost
of certain drugs, and extent of involvement in selling, money handling,
and protection. Finally, demographic variables such as sex, ethnicity,
age, highest grade completed, employment activity in the past month,
geographical location, and subject source (criminal justice system or
drug treatment center) are included in the file. The unit of analysis
is the individual drug user.