title: An analysis of risk domains associated with drug transitions of active Latino gang members.
abstract: Alcohol and illicit drug abuse is a serious problem among male Latino gang members. Research indicates that gang members increase their drug use while they are members, and use more drugs after they leave the gangs. This manuscript reports on data reflecting the influences of individual, familial, peer, and community factors on the number of drug use transitions that Latino gang members undergo during their drug using careers. Data from this study were collected from interviews conducted with seventy-six active Latino gang members. The study's results indicate that age at the time of interview and lower age of drug onset were associated with a greater number of drug use transitions. Positive family attitudes toward deviance, friend drug use, school truancy, conflict with parents, and living in neighborhoods with a high level of crime were also found to be associated with increased drug use transitions.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. delarosa@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De La Rosa
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rugh
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rice
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D018450:Disease Progression; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015994:Incidence; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D012931:Social Environment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D000431:Ethanol