Citation
Seffrin, P. M. (2016). A socio-cultural perspective on drug dealing, drug use, and violence: Examining regional, racial, and economic factors.
MSS-NCSA Joint Sociology Conference. Chicago, IL.
Abstract
Objective: Violence that appears to be drug-related may be the product of socio-cultural influences not accounted for by illegal enterprise or the drugs themselves. The current study examines regional, racial, and economic variation in drug-related violence. Methods: A sample of 4,597 male respondents was drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health). Longitudinal regression analyses examined the effects of drug dealing and drug use on violence in four waves of data, while controlling for alcohol use, marital and employment status. Results: Black and Hispanic men are, on average, more likely than White men to experience drug related violence, although Whites are more likely to use drugs. Changes in drug use were not found to be associated with changes in violence in the Northeast-Midwest region, regardless of race/ethnicity. The effects of dealing and drug use on violence also varied depending on the racial and economic makeup of communities. Economic disadvantage and segregation of Black and Hispanic men increased the risk of drug-related violence in the South and West, respectively.
Reference Type
Conference proceeding
Book Title
MSS-NCSA Joint Sociology Conference
Author(s)
Seffrin, P. M.
Year Published
2016
City of Publication
Chicago, IL
Reference ID
7982
