Urine-Tests of Arrestees as a Way to Identify Hidden Drug Abusers: An Exploratory Study of the District of Columbia

The study deals with two different types of hidden drug abusers who are criminally involved: (1) arrested drug abusers who would be hidden in the absence of the urine testing program; and (2) drug abusers who engage in criminality but are not arrested. Interviews were conducted with 100 hidden drug abusers and 100 known drug abusers. Background information on education, living arrangements, employment, and income was collected, along with data on drug use experiences, treatment, health, and criminality. In comparison with known drug abusers, hidden drug abusers were younger, somewhat less likely to be black or male, more likely to be employed, more likely to be free of prior convictions, and less likely to have been on probation or parole for other offenses when arrested. They were also more likely to use only one drug, more likely to use PCP, and less likely to use opiates or cocaine. About half of the hidden drug abusers arrested in the first 6 months of 1985 had been rearrested at least once by the end of 1986, indicating that hidden drug abusers continued their criminal careers. Study findings demonstrate the importance of analyzing the population of hidden drug abusers and of increasing efforts to develop successful intervention strategies. Appendixes provide additional data on hidden drug abusers and the study data sheet and interview instrument. 51 references and 19 exhibits