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Arrest Histories, Victimization, Substance Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Adults in Miami’s Club Scene

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Crime, HIV and Health: Intersections of Criminal Justice and Public Health Concerns

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Abstract

This study examined the arrest histories and predictors of multiple arrests among 357 ethnically diverse polydrug users ages 18–25 years old who participate in the nightclub scene in Miami. The data were collected using structured assessments of respondents’ substance use, as well as standardized measures of health, environmental, and social risks. Respondents were recruited using respondent-driven sampling. The sample reported high levels of childhood victimization, prior substance abuse treatment, and arrest. Powder cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), marijuana, alcohol, and prescription benzodiazepines were used by large majorities of the sample. More than 75% met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV substance dependence criteria. History of three or more lifetime arrests (n = 110) was associated with male gender, low educational achievement, violent victimization, early sexual debut, and prior substance abuse treatment. Multiple arrestees reported higher levels of current use of powder cocaine, marijuana, and prescription benzodiazepines, as well as elevated levels of sexual risk behaviors, including anal intercourse, unprotected sex, and more sex partners. The high levels of interconnected health and social problems observed among this population appear to be underreported in the literature and require explanatory research designs to more fully understand. Implications for intervention approaches are also discussed.

This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA019048). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health. The author gratefully acknowledges the work of Dr. James A. Inciardi, Principal Investigator of the study from 2005 to 2008.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University, 2121 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 430, Coral Gables, FL, 33134, USA

    Steven P. Kurtz Ph.D.

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  1. Steven P. Kurtz Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Steven P. Kurtz Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Criminal Justice &, Criminalistics, California State University, Los Angeles, State University Drive 5151, Los Angeles, 90032, California, USA

    Bill Sanders

  2. , Howard University, Office of Regulatory Research Compliance, 7th Street 1840, Washington, 20001, District of Columbia, USA

    Yonette F. Thomas

  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Div. Epidemiology, Services &, National Institutes of Health, Executive Blvd. 6001, Bethesda, 20892-9589, Maryland, USA

    Bethany Griffin Deeds

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Kurtz, S.P. (2013). Arrest Histories, Victimization, Substance Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Adults in Miami’s Club Scene. In: Sanders, B., Thomas, Y., Griffin Deeds, B. (eds) Crime, HIV and Health: Intersections of Criminal Justice and Public Health Concerns. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8921-2_8

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