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Related Experiment Videos

Financing Cocaine Use in a Homeless Population.

Carol S North1, David E Pollio2

  • 1The Altshuler Center for Education & Research at Metrocare Services and the Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6363 Forest Park Rd., Suite BL6.226, Dallas, TX 75390-8828, USA. carol.north@utsouthwestern.edu.

Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 26, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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Homeless individuals often finance cocaine use through illegal activities and panhandling, not public benefits. This suggests employment and treatment programs are more effective than drug testing for benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Social Science
  • Public Health
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Cocaine use is prevalent in homeless populations.
  • Financing of cocaine use within this demographic remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between income sources and cocaine use.
  • To investigate how homeless individuals finance their drug use.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of a systematically recruited homeless sample in St. Louis (1999-2001).
  • Annual assessments over two years using structured interviews and urine drug testing.

Main Results:

  • 55% of participants reported current cocaine use.
  • Cocaine users spent approximately $400 (half their income) monthly on drugs.
Keywords:
cocainediagnostic assessmentfinancinghomelessnessincomelongitudinalpanhandlingpublic entitlementssubstance useurine drug testing

Related Experiment Videos

  • Illegal activities, panhandling, and family support were linked to higher cocaine use and spending; benefits/welfare were negatively associated.

    • Conclusions:

    • Illegal and informal income sources primarily fund cocaine use for immediate gratification.
    • Public entitlements are not the main funding source for cocaine use in this population.
    • Policies linking drug testing to benefits may be ineffective; funding employment and treatment programs is recommended.