Drug Use among Juvenile Arrestees: A Comparison of Self-Report, Urinalysis and Hair Assay

... This fact shows that the hair analysis for cocaine is also useful for monitoring cocaine abstinence. This result is also confirmed in other studies, in which a cocaine use was dramatically underre- ported [21,[45][46][47][48][49][50]. ...

... One study established that more than half of juvenile delinquents from selected cities across the United States tested positive for cocaine (Freucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994), while youth involved specifically in the crack business were more likely to be chronic and violent offenders (Inciardi et al., 1993). In addition, youth who abused both alcohol and drugs were more than twice as likely to be involved in violent activities (National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 2001). ...

... Although the available chemical drug test(s) were used to judge the validity of self-reported data on illicit drug use (Harrison, 1997;Kim & Hill, 2003), but they have their own limitations, urine tests have a narrow window of detectability, assays cannot determine the age of initiation of illicit drug use and individuals' attitudes toward the risk of harm, which greatly reduce their usefulness (Harrison, 1995), also there may be many research contexts where testing is problematic, unfeasible, or impractical. Validation studies comparing self-reported drug use to laboratory analysis of hair and urine find substantial underreporting between 30 and 80% of respondents who tested positive, yet not admitting drug use (Fendrich et al., 1999;Feucht et al., 1994;Tourangeau & Yan, 2007). Although most of the surveys are confidential, as researchers most commonly do have, at least at some point, the ability to link completed interviews with potential identifiers, 1303 respondents answering sensitive questions might fear a breach of confidentiality. ...

... Fig. 1details the literature retrieval process as a QUOROM flow chart (Moher et al., 1999). Of 58 retrieved papers that applied both TLFB and biological measures, we excluded four as applying positive or negative reinforcement (Feucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994; Moore & Budney, 2002; Yacoubian, 2003; Zlotnick, Johnson, & Najavits, 2009), one where agreement data was reported elsewhere (Baer et al., 2008), and 28 due to them not reporting on agreement, and authors either replying that they could provide no such data or authors not replying at all. An overview of these 28 papers is given in Table 2. ...

... It is doubtful that such studies will obtain similarly valid estimates of illicit substance use with the TLFB tool. For instance, three of the excluded papers examined validity of TLFB in incarcerated populations (Feucht et al., 1994; Yacoubian, 2003; Zlotnick et al., 2009), with at least one finding massive underreporting of substance use. The same will probably be the case if using TLFB for drug screens at worksites, in sports clubs etc. ...

... First, data are based on self-report. While prior research questions the validity of self-reported substance use (Dembo, Williams, Wish, & Schmeidler, 1990; Ehrman, Robbins, & Cornish, 1997; Fendrich & Xu, 1994; Feucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994; Mieczkowski, Newel, & Wraight, 1998). It is important to note that these studies rely on samples of arrestees and persons in substance use treatment programs. ...

... Most studies report a high percentage of African-Americans and Hispanics (Feucht, 1994; Devieux, 2005). The age of exposure to drugs appear to be getting lower among juveniles (Feucht, 1994; Rew et al, 2001).A study on the homeless boys revealed that children below age nine have been involved in drug use. Additionally, for the children who are from family background of drug use, they have been exposed at a very young age. ...

... In many instances, those who are marginalized and from low educational and socioeconomic backgrounds are usually overrepresented in the justice system. Most studies report a high percentage of African-Americans and Hispanics (Feucht, 1994;Devieux, 2005). The age of exposure to drugs appear to be getting lower among juveniles (Feucht, 1994;Rew et al, 2001).A study on the homeless boys revealed that children below age nine have been involved in drug use. ...

... Most studies report a high percentage of African-Americans and Hispanics (Feucht, 1994;Devieux, 2005). The age of exposure to drugs appear to be getting lower among juveniles (Feucht, 1994;Rew et al, 2001).A study on the homeless boys revealed that children below age nine have been involved in drug use. Additionally, for the children who are from family background of drug use, they have been exposed at a very young age. ...

... For a long period of time researchers were confident that measures of self-reported substance use were valid (Hindelang et al. 1981; Huizinga and Elliot 1986; Maisto et al. 1990; Midanik 1988; Winters et al. 1990). However, recent research using advanced techniques to test hair and urine for substance use call the validity of self-reported substance use into question (Dembo et al. 1990; Ehrman et al. 1997; Fendrich and Xu 1994; Feucht et al. 1994; Mieczkowski et al. 1998). It is important to note, however, that these studies examine the validity of self-reported substance use in high-risk populations, arrestees, and persons in treatment programs, not persons in the general population. ...

... Race was the most salient predictor of cocaine disagreement. Even when other factors were controlled for, the self-report and hair test results for African Americans were more discrepant than for non-African Americans, a finding consistent with past studies (Fendrich, et al., 1999; Feucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994). In a large study of youth (9−20), underreporting of cocaine was documented with urine testing validation as well (Fendrich & Yanchun, 1994) where African Americans in comparison to Caucasians who were urine positive were about 6 times less likely to report cocaine use when other factors are controlled for. ...

... However, more recent research using advanced techniques to test hair and urine for substance use call the validity of self-reported substance use into question. A number of studies indicate that arrestees (Dembo, Williams, Wish, & Schmeidler, 1990; Fendrich & Xu, 1994; Feucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994; Mieczkowski, Newel, & Wraight, 1998; Wish & Gropper, 1990) and persons in treatment for substance use (Ehrman, Robbins, & Cornish, 1997; Lundy et al., 1997; Wish, Hoffman, & Nemes, 1997) underreport their substance use. It is important, however, to note that these studies examine the validity of self-reported substance use among high risk populations and not persons in the general population. ...

... However, more recent research using advanced techniques to test hair and urine for substance use calls the validity of self-reported substance use into question. A number of studies indicate that arrestees (Fendrich & Xu, 1994; Feucht, Stephens, & Walker, 1994; Mieczkowski, Newel, & Wraight, 1998; Wish & Gropper, 1990) and persons in treatment for substance abuse (Ehrman, Robbins, & Cornish, 1997; Lundy et al., 1997; Wish, Hoffman, & Nemes, 1997) underreport their substance use. However, it is important to note that these studies examine the validity of self-reported substance use among high-risk populations and not persons in the general population. ...