Citation

Cox RB, Croff JM, Washburn IJ, Liu C. J. Ethn. Subst. Abuse 2016; 16(2): 246-260.

Affiliation

a Human Development and Family Science , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15332640.2015.1133363

PMID

26980594

Abstract

Few studies have examined exposure to drug use and the lag between exposure and use. This paper estimates prevalence of opportunity to use a substance, for use, and for use given an opportunity to use among a sample of Venezuelan adolescents. Several covariates on the opportunity to use and the transition to use are also examined.

FINDINGS show that lifetime prevalence of substance use among Venezuelan adolescents increases dramatically and more closely resembles rates among US and European samples when having had an opportunity to use was taken into account. A majority of youth who transitioned to use did so the same year exposure occurred, and females had a shorter time difference compared to males. Covariates primarily predicted exposure rather than having used after controlling for exposure, and their effects varied by substance. Implications for prevention efforts are discussed.

Language: en