title: Prescription Drug Diversion: Predictors of Illicit Acquisition and Redistribution in Three U.S. Metropolitan Areas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prescription drug diversion, the transfer of prescription drugs from lawful to unlawful channels for distribution or use, is a problem in the United States. Despite the pervasiveness of diversion, there are gaps in the literature regarding characteristics of individuals who participate in the illicit trade of prescription drugs. This study examines a range of predictors (e.g., demographics, prescription insurance coverage, perceived risk associated with prescription drug diversion) of membership in three distinct diverter groups: individuals who illicitly acquire prescription drugs, those who redistribute them, and those who engage in both behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were drawn from a cross-sectional Internet study (N= 846) of prescription drug use and diversion patterns in New York City, South Florida, and Washington, D.C.. Participants were classified into diversion categories based on their self-reported involvement in the trade of prescription drugs. Group differences in background characteristics of diverter groups were assessed by Chi-Square tests and followed up with multivariate logistic regressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While individuals in all diversion groups were more likely to be younger and have a licit prescription for any of the assessed drugs in the past year than those who did not divert, individuals who both acquire and redistribute are more likely to live in New York City, not have prescription insurance coverage, and perceive fewer legal risks of prescription drug diversion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that predictive characteristics vary according to diverter group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Howard Phillips Hall 309, Orlando, FL 32816-1361, USA.
authors.forename: Shana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Queens College, City University of New York, 6530 Kissena Boulevard, SB A344, Queens, NY 11367-1597, USA.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nikulina
authors.affiliation: Social Science Department, LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York, 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gelpí-Acosta
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Rutgers University, 536 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Cory
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Newsome
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.affiliation: Science Department, Berkeley College, 3 East 43 Street New York, NY 10017, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoefinger
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aikins
authors.affiliation: Sociology and Criminology Department, Cabrini College, 610 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087-3698, USA.
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harlem Hospital Center, 506 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Public Health Solutions, 40 Worth Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013, USA.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Downing
keywords: Internet-based study; United States; diversion; illicit behavior; prescription drugs