Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Swateja Nimkar, BPharm¹, Thomas Nicholson, PhD¹, David Duncan, DrPH², John White, PhD¹, and Mary Christine Nagy, PhD¹. (1) Dept. of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270-745-4797, swateja.nimkar@wku.edu, (2) Duncan and Associates, 1347 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101

This study examines drug use behavior in a self-described sample of users. We draw comparisons between subjects whose only illicit drug use is marijuana and those who use both marijuana and other drugs. Data are from the DRUGNET study (1996, 1998, 1999), a multi-panel study conducted over the internet from 1996 – 1998. This sample was predominately white, male, young, and college educated. The majority of respondents were employed with incomes in the $50,000 - $60,000 (USD) range. A subset of respondents to the DRUGNET survey was selected for this analysis. Respondents had to be at least 18 years of age, a US citizen and report marijuana drug use (n = 283). The major finding from this study is that there were no significant differences between the two groups, on any variable measured other than gender. Women are more likely to report using marijuana alone while males are more likely to report using marijuana and other drugs. While this is the first study to make this comparison and may have implications for drug education, policy, and treatment, this result may be an artifact of the study design and/or sample.

Learning Objectives:

• - Differentiate between marijuana use, abuse, and dependence;
• - Identify common patterns of marijuana consumption over time;
• - List behavioral and demographic differences between these two groups;
• - Discuss implications for education, prevention, and treatment

Keywords: Marijuana, Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered