The Self-Reported Need for Treatment Among an Arrestee Population: Results of the Omaha Drug Use Forecasting Program

Over the past 30 years, the use of self-reported data paired with urinalyses testing for estimating drug use has received increasing popularity in the field of criminal justice. Since 1987, the city o f Omaha, Nebraska has been collecting self-reported data and urinalyses results from its arrestee population. The purpose of this thesis is to examine several demographic and situational variables related to the self-reported need for treatment among an arrestee population. Data were obtained from 4,255 arrestees who participated in the Omaha Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) Program from 1990 to 1995. Initial evidence suggests that those arrestees who are closely tied to standard social institutions are more likely to self-report a need for treatment. In addition, those arrestees who had recently used a drug (s ) were also more likely to self-report a need for treatment. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction. 1 History: America's War on Drugs. 3 The Extent of the Drug Problem and the Drug Crime Connection. 8 Methods For Estimating Drug Use in the United States. 12 High School Senior Survey.12 National Household Survey. 15 Drug Abuse Warning Network. 17 Drug Use Forecasting. 19 Issues in the Measurement of Drug Use. 24 Strengths of Self-Report Data. 24 Validity and Reliability Problems in Self-Reports of Drug Use 25 Issues in Urinalysis Testing. 28 Two Procedures Used to Conduct Drug Testing. 28 Validity and Reliability Problems Related to Drug Testing. 30 Drug Treatment in the United States. 32 Recent Events and Their Influence on Treatment. 36 Issues of Drug Treatment. 38 Why Drug Use Forecasting to Identify Substance Abusers? 43 Hypotheses. 45 Respondent Characteristics. 47 Age. 47 Social Control Theory: Education, Marital S tatus,. 47 Employment, Income Race. 50 Situational Characteristics. 50 Seriousness of Offense and Top Charge . 50 Age of Onset. 51 Drug Use Within the Past 72 Hours and Drug Use Within the Past 30 Days. 52 Self-Reported Need for Drug Treatment Versus Urinalysis Results. 52 The Present Study. 55 The Omaha Site. 58 The Sample. 59 Methodology. 60 Analysis and Findings. 60 Univariate Findings. 60 Bi-Variate Findings. 67 Summary. 72 Discussion. 74 Conclusion and Recommendations. 78 References. 82 Table 1. ,. 89 Table 2. 93 Table 3. 95 Appendix. 99 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Much thanks is due to a number o f people. First of all, I would like to thank everyone in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University o f Nebraska at Omaha. The education and experience was first rate. A special thanks goes out to Vincent Webb, Ph.D. and Miriam Delone, Ph.D. I would like to thank Vince for all of his guidance on this thesis and for all o f his support on other projects. Numerous opportunities awarded to me by Vince allowed for the completion of this project and overall knowledge in other areas. I am deeply grateful. Thanks to Miriam for all o f her assistance. Her ideas, suggestions, and recommendations helped make this thesis possible. She has been a role model for me since I first met her over two years ago. Her sincerity and true desire to teach will never be forgotten. A special thanks is extended to Mary Ann Lamanna, PH.D., who was also on my thesis committee— thank you for all of your input. Thank you to all o f my committee for their time, effort, and expertise. You guys were outstanding. All o f this could not of been as successful without the encouragement o f my family. I owe a big thanks to my husband, Vincent Perez. His support, understanding, and patience keep me going when it seemed easier to quit. At times when this project took on a life of its' own, he was always there to encourage me. The late nights and last minute proof­ readings are more appreciated than he will know. I would like to thank Dorcas Elliot-Haddock, Ph.D. Dee has been an inspiration for me since my years as an undergraduate. Her desire for me to succeed and fulfill my potential has helped guide me to this point. She is an exceptional woman. I will be in debt to her for all of my life. Deep gratitude to the rest o f my family for all o f their encouragement and support. Thank you everyone!