title: Ethnic and gender differences in drug users' perceived need for treatment.
abstract: Little is known about ethnic and gender variation in drug users' perceived need for treatment or about the predisposing factors that might account for such variation. Among 1,170 drug-using arrestees in Los Angeles, perceived need for treatment is positively related to these predisposing factors: self-reported drug dependence, attitude toward treatment for drug use, and occurrence of drug-related problems other than dependence. Self-reported drug dependence is higher among women and accounts for the greater perceived need reported by women. Hispanics are less likely to perceive a need for treatment. Among daily drug users, both Hispanics and Africans Americans are less likely to do so. These ethnic differences are not explained by self-reported drug dependence or any other predisposing factor. Implications for treatment referral, intake, and counseling are discussed.
authors: Drug Abuse Research Center, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute 90024.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Longshore
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hsieh
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Anglin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation