Age-based correlates of substance misuse among convicted felons in Georgia.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to identify variables that independently correlate with age and substance use among a sample of 187 convicted felons in Georgia.


RESULTS
Results of regression analysis indicated that younger inmates were 2 times more likely than older inmates to report the occurrence of alcohol use (RR 2.07; 95% CI .37, 11.6) and three times more likely than older inmates to report some history of marijuana use (RR 3.07; 95% CI 1.52, 6.11). In addition, younger inmates were half as likely or less to report using sedatives (RR .53, 95% CI .22, 1.29), tranquilizers (RR .49, 95% CI .22, 1.29), crack or cocaine (RR .33, 95% CI .18, .62), heroin (RR .48, 95% CI .16, 1.25), and to having ever received treatment for a drug problem (RR .46, 95% CI .23, .90).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, age-based factors correlate with participant's history of substance use. Ascertainment of these variables among inmate populations has the potential to improve treatment decisions both during and after incarceration.
Stephens
Torrance
T
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310, USA. tstephens@msm.edu
McGee
Warner
W
Braithwaite
Ronald L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D005006:Ethnicity; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*