153978 Substance Use among Homeless Youth Populations: A Multi-City Approach

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Heidi M. Grove, BA , Urban Peak, Denver, CO
Melissa Vance, MA , Urban Peak, Denver, CO
A recent national study conducted by Monitoring the Future, recently released by University of Michigan, found that substance use among US residents in the 8th, 10th and 12th grades is declining by 23 percent. However, what national statistics do not reveal is that the pattern of substance use in specific sub populations has not decreased and often does not match national patterns. Urban Peak, in collaboration with University of Colorado at Denver Health and Behavioral Sciences Center, coordinated multiple national public health studies to illustrate the immense range of public health concerns that these young people face. This paper presents findings from a series of point-in-time surveys of substance use and public health needs among homeless and at-risk youth in multiple urban and rural sites over a period of four years. Despite methodological limitations surrounding research in this highly transient population, the data is intended to provide a “snap-shot” or baseline picture of public health risks and substance use among homeless and at-risk youth.

Learning Objectives:
This presentation provides health professionals and service providers with information about a research project that takes an in-depth look into at-risk youth populations in relation to substance use and at-risk behaviors. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with staff and researchers involved in learning about this underserved and understudied population.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Homelessness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Urban Peak Homeless Youth Employment (includes retainer)

Any company-sponsored training? Yes
Did the company pay your travel and lodging? Yes
 Were you provide you with slides as part of the training sessions? No
 Did you receive an honorarium or consulting fee for participating in the training? No
 Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission? Yes
Have you received salary support, retainer, or other monies to support your position as part of the research/clinical trials? Yes
 Have you served as the Principal Investigator) for the research/clinical trials? No
 Have the results of your research/clinical trials been published? Yes

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Other Drugs - Adolescents
See more of: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs