The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71723

Tracy L. Durrah, DrPH, MPH, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10032, (212) 305-7373, tld5@columbia.edu

The nexus of drug use and arrest among women is well established. In fact, in New York City (NYC), over 60% of women arrested are charged with a drug related offense (Dunlap, Johnson et al. 1997; Browne, Miller et al. 1999). According to the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program (ADAM) over 70% of arrested women in NYC test urine positive for at least one (1) illicit drug (NIJ 2000). Although as of 1999 the ADAM program (formally the Drug Use Forecasting Program) implemented the use of a revised instrument that no longer asks questions about tobacco use, we know that rates of tobacco use are high as well. An analysis of 1996-97 DUF data for female arrestees in Manhattan showed (71%) were current daily smokers. Of these, 31% had tried to cut down or quit (Durrah & Rosenberg, in press). It is not clear how or which drug related factors (i.e. Drug of choice, socio-demographic variables) influence efforts and success of tobacco cessation among women. The current study, an analysis of 1987-1997 tobacco use among arrested women, will increase our understanding of tobacco use among women who are heavily drug involved. As of March 30, 2003 all NYC jails and prisons will become smoke-free. It is unclear how inmates or detainees will be encouraged to quit. Further, there may be particular factors which increase the likelihood of tobacco cessation and decrease later health consequences. These results are important for tobacco cessation efforts focused on women who are heavily drug involved.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify covariates of tobacco use among drug-using arrested women by drug of choice, pattern of use, socio-demographic, drug treatment or other social service factors.
• 2. Identify drug related socio-demographic factors which may influence harm reduction or cessation efforts.
• 3. Discuss and Develop strategies likely to contribute to the success of tobacco cessation programs focused on drug using women.

Keywords: Tobacco, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.