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Biomedical subjects

B J Spunt

Publications and source records attributed to B J Spunt.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

The link between identity and crime for the heroin addict in methadone treatment.

In this paper we examine the relationship between identity and involvement in crime for the heroin addict enrolled in methadone treatment. We hypothesize that crime during treatment is related to the maintenance of an identity appropriate to the role of the active street hustler. Data derive from interviews with addicts in methadone treatment in the New York City area. The major finding is that addicts in methadone treatment who had street-oriented identities were more likely than those with model patient-based identities to be involved in crime, particularly property crime. The limitations and implications of this research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Drug relationships in violence among methadone maintenance treatment clients.

In this paper the nature, scope, and drug relatedness of violent events reported by a sample of methadone maintenance treatment clients is examined and compared with events reported by a sample of drug abusers not in treatment. The drug relatedness of events is ascertained according to a tripartite model of the drugs-violence relationship. Data derive from a study of the drugs-violence nexus among male drug users and distributors who lived in or frequented the lower east side of Manhattan. Among the major findings were that while events reported by the treatment group were less likely than those reported by the not-in-treatment group to be related to heroin, total alcohol and cocaine related dimensions of violence were similar for the two groups. There was no difference between these groups in terms of the proportion of events that were drug related or the proportion of drug related events that could be attributed to each of the three posited models of drug relatedness. The implications of our findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ethnographic field stations.

Ethnographic field stations are not a substitute for traditional ethnography, because they provide an "unnatural" setting for research interaction and observation to take place. However, they do provide perhaps the optimal setting for qualitative and quantitative methodologies to be undertaken in a single research effort. In this sense, they are critically important for advancing our knowledge about drug abusers and their behaviors.

Ethnology↗
PubMed1988

Patient-staff governance in methadone maintenance treatment: a study in participative decision making.

To help counteract some methadone patients' unfavorable attitudes to treatment and consequent antitherapeutic behaviors, a participative decision-making model was implemented in two methadone maintenance programs. Team building was used to initiate collaboration between patients and staff, resulting in the establishment of joint patient-staff governance committees. Outcomes as measured by the Client Attitudes Toward Methadone Programs (CAMP) Scale (a new instrument developed for the study) and by patients' supplementary drug use showed no statistically significant changes. The process evaluation, however, indicated that the committees had positive results in increasing communication and understanding between patients and staff, and in improving the efficiency of certain clinic procedures. The study analyzes the organizational dilemmas encountered in implementing participative decision making in drug treatment programs and gives recommendations for promoting future work in this area.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Race/ethnicity and gender differences in the drugs-violence relationship.

This article examines the drug relatedness of violent events reported by White, Black, and Hispanic male and female street drug users from New York City. The primary purpose is to determine if the drugs-violence relationship varies for these different populations of drug abusers. Drug relatedness is assessed according to a tripartite conceptual model of the general relationship between drugs and violence. Significant race/ethnicity and gender differences were found in regard to the number of violent events manifesting specific drug-related dimensions of violence, the drugs associated with these violent events, and the primary reasons for the occurrence of these events. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trauma, drugs and violence among juvenile offenders.

Trauma typically occurs when one experiences a situation where life has been threatened or lost. If the trauma is not resolved, negative residual effects may result in alcohol and drug use, involvement in violent activities as well as the development of mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings from a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study examining the link between trauma, drug use and violence among youth are presented. Results from interviews with 414 juveniles remanded to the Office of Children and Family Services (formerly New York State Division For Youth) for assault, sexual assault, robbery or homicide, document the trauma experienced by these youth, as well as how it correlated with their drug usage and participation in violent, illegal activities. Discussion of these findings, their implications for understanding and intervening, and recommendations for future research are highlighted.

Adolescent↗