74: Prevalence of Substance Use Among Detained Youth: A Midwestern Experience

Abstract

Public perception of youth in detention is that they are more likely than their peers to engage in use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD). This study sought to profile the AOD use of adolescents detained in a short-term detention center and compare it to patterns of use reported by a representative sample of adolescents. Between 1996 and 2005, all youth aged 9-18 years were administered the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory A-2 (SASSI A-2) within 24-72 hours of admission to a Midwestern juvenile detention center that serves a community that is 82% White, 14% Black, and 4% other ethnicity. Informed consent was obtained for all participants from their legal guardians, with assent of the adolescents. Results of the CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for the State of Ohio from 1997-2005 were utilized for comparisons. Our sample (n = 793) was 46.1% White, 43.9% Black, and 10% other. A total of 72.4% were male. Modal age of participants was 16 years. A total of 54.1% had completed ninth grade. Though 42.3% of those surveyed reported no current AOD use, 17.4% of AOD users reported use > 2 times/week. Modal age of first use was 13 years. A total of 29.6% of the detained youth had their first drink prior to age 13, comparable to YRBS findings of first use ranging from 30% (1999) to 22% (2005). A total of 57% of those surveyed had a high probability of substance abuse disorder. A total of 20.9% reported never using, comparable to the 15% (1999) to 23.5% (2005) who reported never having a drink in their lives to the YRBS. Significant racial differences were found. Whites were more likely to have a high probability of AOD abuse disorders compared to Blacks (p = 0.003), but Blacks use alcohol more frequently (p = 0.036). Significant racial differences were noted in 9 of the 10 SASSI subscales, with Whites scoring higher than Blacks on 6 of these, lower on the other 3. Significant gender differences were also found. Males used more frequently than females; however, females were more likely to have a high probability of AOD abuse disorders. Significant gender differences were also noted on 6 of the 10 SASSI subscales. Females scored higher on 5 subscales. Youth in detention did not demonstrate AOD use significantly different from their peers statewide. However, the detained population is not uniform in AOD use rates or patterns. Significant racial and gender differences have implications for public policy and service delivery. Further study which examines trends in use over time by youth in short-term detention will elucidate information important to the juvenile detention system.