Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., DeLisi, M., Shook, J. J., & Terzis, L. (2015). A typology of drug selling among young adults in the United States. Substance Use & Misuse, 50(3), 403-413.
Introduction
The author purpose of the study was to determine the level of drug selling among young adults in the united state. The author focused on a subgroup of young adults aged 18-25 years who were reported to deal with illicit drugs within the previous twelve months. The research was significant in that it acts as a guiding principle in drug selling prevention and formulation of population-based policies. Previous researchers focused more on illicit selling of drugs among the youths other than young adults (Vaughn, Salas-Wright, DeLisi, Shook, & Terzis, 2015, p 403)
An extensive literature review was conducted on various aspects of illicit selling of drugs by young adults. The number of respondents was 5,373, mean age was 21 years and the standard deviation was 1.8. The respondents were unevenly distributed with 67.6% being whites, 14.2% were African Americans and 13.1% were Hispanic. On annual income analysis for the respondents’ families, it was observed that the majority of the family income from the sample was less than $50,000 per year amounting to 64.7%. One-third of the respondents resided in households earning less than $20,000 per year forming 31.1%. Families earning between $50,000-74,000 per year formed 12.8% and lastly for the families earning more than $75,000 formed 22.5%.
The research focused on three hypothesis concerning drug selling. The first aim is identifying the point of generalization the fact about selling drugs which for a long time has been linked heavily to disadvantaged communities thus limiting us from comprehensive picture about drug selling. Secondly, the other aim is to explore more on drug selling in early childhood which is a transition time to adulthood where many criminal activities are reported and selling drugs becomes rampant. Thirdly aim is to explore the heterogeneity and advanced typology among drug sellers in early adulthood. With this, four distinct latent classes that are Normative 49.6%, Club drug user 23.6%, Polysubstance user 16.0% and criminal offenders 10.0%.
The author emphasizes more on the homogeneity of drug selling among the young adults aged 18-25 years. He did not focus on other age brackets subgroups; he assumed the heterogeneity of drug selling among youths. Drug selling practices by both male and female youths and therefore the author would have considered the aspect of heterogeneity in selling drugs.
A pooled data from residents aged 18-25 years who participated in National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) from 2006-2010 producing a considerable large sample of 5,373 respondents. The data emanated from multistage sampling designed to select a representative sample of US civilians institutionalised population aged 12 years and above. Participants included; households, residents, residents of the shelter and rooming house.
To enhance the precision of behavioural drug use for the subgroup young adults aged 18-25 years were mostly used.
NSDUH utilized Computer-assisted interviewing methodology so as to facilitate validity of the data collected. Computer-assisted personal interviewing and audio computer-assisted self-interviewing were extensively used in collecting data. 90% of the respondent emanated from house screening and 75% from interviewing.
The research utilized twenty variable measures such as; criminal justice involvement, criminal dependency abuse, young adults illicit selling of drugs among others. All the variables examined young adults’ behavioural pattern in the previous twelve months. Several demographic covariates were incorporated so as to enhance prompt and solely use of young adults subgroup.
After fully identifying the latent profiles, classes were developed and the allocation of cases was done. Validation was done using Chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare them and differentiate the difference between the individuals and the mental health. Statistical procedures were conducted with state 12.1 surveys so as to adjust the standard error for complex samples.
The critique is that; the data used were cross-sectional and prevented the temporal relationship between variables. The data was a reflection of the previous 12 months and thus cross-sectional nature of data limited any casual conclusion to be made. Moreover, the NSDUH relies on respondents to give them the data and therefore the information may be biased. The NSDUH tried to have correct data by making efforts to pay the respondents $30 for giving out information and the respondents were assured that their names will not be disclosed so that they can give credible and reliable data.
After the extensive research, the following findings were observed. The findings revealed that heterogeneity was true for both male and female young adults were involved in illicit drug selling (Vaughn, Salas-Wright, DeLisi, Shook, & Terzis, 2013, p 404). The analysis revealed three groups of drug dealers; dabblers, delinquents and externalizes. It was also evident that marijuana, tobacco and alcohol were highly preferred by the drug sellers more than the general population.
Normative and club drug dealers consisted of a big number of white adolescents in transition to adulthood and they emanated from high-income families. The young adults could either divert to either low-level drug sellers or club drug users. A criminal offender group is a transition from adolescent to early adulthood offenders. This criminal group was observed to be very violent. Research has found that white youths were involving themselves in drug selling for personal use while African American youths were engaging in drug selling for economic gains.
The critique here is that the NSDUH fails to include biological variables which would have brought more insight on drug selling and accompanied behaviours. And therefore the results of the current research are missing an important detail making the results partially reliable. Use of biological variables is recommended for future researchers.
Conclusion
The study has clearly pointed out important information about drug selling typology in early adulthood. Drug selling defines the behavioural, the mental health of an individual and the criminal justice to guide the conducts of an individual. More policies governing the drug usage in the united state need to be reviewed and appropriate measure needs to be taken to control the rising number of young adults indulging themselves in drug selling. Prolong use of drugs expose individuals to risky health conditions that can lead to lifetime complications and early deaths before reaching life expectancy mark. The government and stakeholders should come up with strong initiatives to engage the young in programs that will positively impact their lives such as sports and recreation centres to minimize idleness thus curbing drug selling. The community should assume the responsibility of educating the young generation on the impact of selling the drug and the consequences of being a drug addict. For the country to have free drug sellers and high rate of substance use among young aged people, everybody should be at the forefront to fight any business to do with illicit drugs. The government should also introduce a new curriculum in the syllabus on the effects and consequences of drug selling and usage. The syllabus should be taken as a compulsory subject so that every generation that will come shall be knowledgeable of the impact of drugs. Consequently, the states will enjoy free-drug-use generation
References
Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., DeLisi, M., Shook, J. J., & Terzis, L. (2015). A typology of drug selling among young adults in the United States. Substance Use & Misuse, 50(3), 403-413.
