Elsevier

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2008, Pages 296-305
Journal of Adolescent Health

Original article
Drug Use Among Homeless Young People in Los Angeles and Melbourne

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.06.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the effect of time spent homeless on young people's substance use and use of drug and alcohol services in two countries with contrasting policy and service environments.

Methods

A crossnational survey was conducted of recently homeless and experienced homeless young people in Melbourne (N = 674) and Los Angeles (N = 620). Questions were asked about alcohol and drug use in the past 3 months, frequency of use, injecting drug use, drug dependency, and perceived need for, and use of, drug and alcohol services. Data were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

Substantial numbers of young people reported use of alcohol and drugs. More Australians than Americans and more experienced than newly homeless reported drug use, although there were no differences in frequency of use in the past 3 months. Polydrug use was common, as were injecting drugs and responses that signified drug dependency. All were more common among Australians and experienced homeless young people. A substantial number of young people had “ever” taken part in a drug or alcohol program, but only a minority believed that they needed help from services. Of these, only a minority had sought help. This was particularly so among those who were classified as drug dependent. Reasons for failure to seek help varied.

Conclusion

Substance use is alarmingly high compared to national samples of young people, especially among those who had been homeless for longer periods. Programs to reduce substance use must take account of the prevailing drug cultures, as well as different subgroups of the population.

Section snippets

Sample

This study recruited homeless young people in Melbourne, Australia, and Los Angeles, California. Two criteria for participation were used: (1) the young person was between 12 and 20 years, and (2) they had spent the last 2 consecutive nights away from home (either without their parent's or guardian's permission if under 17 years or had been told to leave). Two cohorts of homeless young people were formed: “newly” homeless and “experienced” homeless. Based on information from providers of

Results

Descriptive data and effects of gender, site, and type (experienced or newly homeless) are presented for: (1) use/nonuse of alcohol and drugs, (2) frequency of use, (3) polydrug use, (4) experience of injecting drugs, (5) drug dependency, and (6) experience with alcohol and drug services. Given the large number of tests, α was set to p < .01 to avoid type 1 errors.

Discussion

As might be expected, there was a high amount of drug use among these young people in the past 3 months, but this tended to vary according to site and time spent homeless. Most were using alcohol and marijuana and a disturbing number were using “harder” illicit drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, crack/cocaine, and LSD/acid. The party drug, ecstasy, was also used by many young people. Alcohol, heroin, amphetamines, sedatives, and methadone were used more Australians than Americans and those who

Conclusions

It is clear from these data that drug use is alarmingly high in both populations sampled in this study, especially among those who had been homeless for longer periods. Despite these similarities, there are differences in the drug use cultures among young people in each city. Any attempts to develop programs that aim to reduce drug use must take account of the prevailing drug cultures that exist at the time and the location at which these programs will be delivered as well as different

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Paul Myers, Judith Edwards, Andrea Witkin, and a team of interviewers for their contributions to this research. The research reported in this paper was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Grant number: MH61185.

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