Understanding the Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) Sample of Adult Arrestees

• NCJ Number: 146846
• Author(s): J M Chaiken; M R Chaiken; E R Poulin
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 59 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90-IJ-CX-0051
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

The data collection procedures of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program are evaluated, and local applications of DUF data considered.

Abstract

A survey of DUF site directors was conducted in 1991. Researchers also visited sites, tracked arrestees, and examined DUF data from the period 1987-1989. Findings are presented as follows: 1) Overview of DUF procedures; 2) Analytical focus; 3) Geographical catchment areas for the DUF adult sample; 4) DUF interviewing facilities and the people detained there; 5) Selection of interviewees according to their detention status; 6) Selection of interviewees according to offense charged; 7) DUF- interviewed arrestees as compared with eligible arrestees; 8) Post-stratification to weight the DUF sample data; 9) Weighted estimates of drug use levels; and 10) Implications of the Research for Changes in the DUF program. In sum, at each site, the DUF sample of adult arrestees appeared to provide valid estimates of confirmed drug use levels among NIJ-specified arrestees; however, these arrestees do not represent the totality of arrestees in a given area, and the particular offenses that are well represented vary from site to site. 14 tables