The purpose of this study was to describe the patterns of drug use by incarcerated youth in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A revised and translated form of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) developed by CDC was pilot tested and revised for use in the study. A total of 410 incarcerated youth were surveyed (males=85%, mean age=18). These data were compared with an existing database from students who completed the YRBS in school. The most prevalent health risk behaviors that occurred in the 30 days prior to being arrested dealt with cigarette smoking (80.7%), drinking and driving (78.7%), binge drinking (71.8%); using drugs before having sex (62.8%), using marijuana (62.2%), consuming alcohol (58.9%), and using cocaine (47.3%). Sixteen year olds reported the highest prevalence of drug use before the last sexual intercourse (p<.05), number of sex partners in his or her lifetime (p<.0001), and lifetime use of marijuana (p<.001). Enrollment in school at the time of arrest appeared to have a mitigating effect (p<.05) on the rates of alcohol, cocaine, and crack use. Incarcerated youth reported initiating drug use and sexual activities at a significantly lower age (p<.05) than those who were still in school. It is recommended that major efforts be expended to retain students in school, initiate comprehensive elementary school health education programs, and increase the high school graduation rates of youth in Puerto Rico in order to minimize the high rates of health risk behaviors among both incarcerated and out-of-school youth populations.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1. identify the most prevalent patterns of drug use among incarcerated youth in Puerto Rico. 2. specify three variables that are interrelated with the use of drugs by incarcerated youth in Puerto Rico. 3. list three recommendations for preventing the use of drugs by incarcerated youth in Puerto Rico.
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Incarceration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.