Article
Community Characteristics and Methamphetamine Use in a Rural State: An Analysis of Preincarceration Usgae by Prison Inmates
Crime & Delinquency
(2013)
Abstract
Social disorganization theory attempts to explain the relationships of community characteristics and patterns of illicit drug use, but methamphetamine poses a problem for this perspective. Methamphetamine use is prevalent in rural areas, where greater community social organization may contribute to its usage, a possibility examined here using data from a highly rural state. Data were collected from a population of prisoners entering Wyoming state correctional facilities from July 2005 to June 2006. Hierarchical linear models estimated the effects of individual- and county-level variables on preincarceration amphetamine/methamphetamine use and severity of use. Results indicate that individual-level variables predict use, whereas county-level variables predict severity of use. The effects of individual-level measures of social control were consistent with the social disorganization model, whereas the effects of county-level variables provided support for the social organization argument. Implications of the findings for a multidimensional, multilevel conceptualization of the social organization/disorganization continuum are discussed.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1177/0011128709336939
Publisher Statement
Copyright (2013) Sage
*At time of publication, Aaron Roussell was affiliated with Washington State University.
Citation Information
Roussell, A., Holmes, M. D., & Anderson-Sprecher, R. (2013). Community characteristics and methamphetamine use in a rural state: An analysis of preincarceration usage by prison inmates. Crime & Delinquency, 59(7), 1036-1063.