Street Youths and Substance Use

Abstract

This research examines the role that various background, labor market, and street lifestyle factors play in street youths' drug and alcohol use. Using a sample of 200 homeless male street youths, the researcher found that exposure to parental substance abuse increases street youths' risk of alcohol and hard-drug use. Further, histories of physical abuse are related to the use of psychedelic drugs. The data also indicate that long-term homelessness influences hard-drug use, whereas drug- and alcohol-using peers influence the use of alcohol, marijuana, and psychedelic drugs. Participation in property crime increases street youths' use of all types of drugs and alcohol, whereas drug distribution is linked to greater soft-drug use. Finally, job histories and depression are linked to alcohol and hard-drug use, whereas self-blame for unemployment increases alcohol use.