Spending of remuneration by subjects in non-treatment drug abuse research studies.
BACKGROUND
This study examines remuneration spending by drug-using participants in residential drug abuse research.


METHODS
Ninety-four adult males who participated in residential, non-treatment drug abuse research studies earned remuneration based on length of stay and specific research procedures. Remuneration could be in cash after discharge or for in-kind purchases and bill payments. Spending of remuneration was extracted from charts and evaluated with multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
Participants received average remuneration of 1,454 dollars, taking 59% in cash. Other categories included cigarettes (60.6% of subjects), toiletries (60.6%), clothing (54.3%), and housing (52.1%). Primary drug of abuse, total remuneration, monthly income, length of stay on the residential research unit, age, and education were significantly associated with in-kind remuneration choices. Less total remuneration, intoxication in the month prior to study, higher IQ, and non-white race were associated with taking more in cash.


CONCLUSIONS
Residential drug abuse research participants prefer cash to in-kind research remuneration, and their choices reflected drug use and economic status.
Kurlander
Jacob E
JE
Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Simon-Dack
Stephanie L
SL
Gorelick
David A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000191:economics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics*; D036302:Therapeutic Human Experimentation