Compares urinalysis results for cocaine and opiates to self-reported three-day cocaine and opiate use. Statistics indicate that the strength of agreement between the two drug use measures is consistent over time. These findings suggest that the need for urinalysis should be reconsidered. (Contains 16 references and 2 tables.) (GCP)

Previous studies of the drug-use patterns of institutionalized youth found that they followed the standard progression of drug use from marijuana to hard drugs. Utilizing a probabilistic assessment of models, this study supports a modified gateway sequences in which cocaine use appears as an intermediate step between marijuana use and use of other…

The clinical characteristics of cocaine addiction, cocaine abstinence symptoms, and the short-term and long-term neurochemical actions of cocaine are discussed. The relative therapeutic value of various medications and treatment programs are discussed. (KR)

Examined relationship of shyness and sociability to illicit substance use in 654 male high school students. Found that, in general, shy males were significantly more likely to use illicit substances than were not-shy peers. Shy, highly sociable males were significantly more likely to use hallucinogenic substances than were shy, less sociable males…

Two approaches were used to estimate the amount of illicit drugs consumed and available for consumption in the United States. Estimates of the number of drug users were multiplied by estimates of the average amount of drugs consumed. Then the supply of drugs available for consumption was examined by estimating the amount of drugs that enters the…

This Pulse Check is a report of national trends in illicit drug abuse and drug markets in the United States. The report draws on conversations with ethnographers and epidemiologists working in the drug field, law enforcement agents, and drug treatment providers across the United States. Information from each of these sources is summarized in…

The effectiveness of offering same day appointments at an outpatient cocaine treatment program to increase intake attendance was examined. Seventy-eight clients were given standard or accelerated intake appointments. Significantly more clients who were given accelerated appointments attended the program. An accelerated intake procedure appears to…

Reports the results of an analysis of survey data collected from male inner-city high school students pertaining to firearms possession, use of heroin, cocaine, and crack, drug selling, and commission of crimes with weapons. No evidence of a progressive, linear relationship between level of drug use and gun possession was found. (JPS)

A longitudinal study involving 400 children, one third of whom were identified as hyperactive in 1974, investigated tobacco smoking and substance dependencies. The results found almost twice as many participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder smoked cigarettes daily as controls and twice as many were cocaine dependent. (CR)

Eighty-nine high school seniors completed a questionnaire on their feelings and activities, including their use of drugs. Adolescents with a low grade point average, high popularity, and high depression were more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and smoke marijuana than were their peers. Cigarette and alcohol use predicted marijuana use,…

Uses longitudinal national survey data to examine relationships between cocaine and marijuana use. Results show that weekly marijuana users were over 10 times more likely to initiate cocaine use within the next year. Also, many psychosocial predictors are not predictive of initial cocaine use after controlling for prior weekly marijuana use. (RJM)

Investigates the effects of the use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine on the following aspects of labor force experience: (1) earnings; (2) stability of employment; (3) gaps between employment spells; and (4) duration of unemployment. Illicit drug use was found to have an impact on all factors except earnings. (JS)

This study examined stages of drug habit acquisition and change among college students, basing the proposed stages of drug use on the Multi-Component Motivational Stages prevention model. Surveys indicated the model helped explain the stages of substance use. The proportion of youths at each stage differed by type of drug. (SM)

High school students (N=1,515) in Massachusetts were surveyed about whether participation in athletics promoted a healthier lifestyle and decreased use of recreational drugs. Participation in athletics did promote a healthier lifestyle and athletes were significantly less likely to use cocaine, psychedelic drugs, or smoke cigarettes. However, work…

In this study, differential substance use between American and Australian college students was assessed through administration of a survey concerning recent use of six commonly used psychoactive substances (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and caffeine). Situational contexts associated with the use of each particular…