Cannabis Dependence and Peer Selection in Social Networks of Frequent Users

Contemporary drug problems : a law quarterly. Vol. 38, No. 1 (2011), p. 93-121

Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2011-37

General Subserie Research Paper No. 2011-07

29 Pages Posted: 6 Apr 2012

See all articles by Nienke Liebregts

Nienke Liebregts

University of Amsterdam; University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law

W.J. Benschop

University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law

D.J. Korf

University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law

Peggy van der Pol

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Margriet van Laar

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Ron Graaf

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Wim van den Brink

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: September 30, 2011

Abstract

In a Dutch longitudinal study on the dynamics of cannabis dependence, at baseline 600 frequent cannabis users (≥ 3 days cannabis use per week in past 12 months) aged 18-30 years were interviewed. Nearly half of all participants (42%) met DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence in the 12 months prior to the interview. Participants were recruited by respondent-driven sampling; referrals were understood as proxy for social networks to explore peer associations and social exclusion. Analyses revealed that networks of frequent cannabis users were mostly heterogeneous. Cannabis dependence did not emerge as a main selector. However, within segments of networks some clustering of cannabis dependence (indicating differential inclusion), sex and ethnicity was found. Methodological questions are discussed regarding the applicability of respondent-driven sampling in noninjecting, nonmarginalized drug users. The study’s limitations are noted.

Keywords: Cannabis dependence, respondent-driven sampling, social networks, frequent cannabis use, social exclusion

Suggested Citation

Liebregts, Nienke and Liebregts, Nienke and Benschop, W.J. and Korf, D.J. and van der Pol, Peggy and van Laar, Margriet and Graaf, Ron and van den Brink, Wim, Cannabis Dependence and Peer Selection in Social Networks of Frequent Users (September 30, 2011). Contemporary drug problems : a law quarterly. Vol. 38, No. 1 (2011), p. 93-121, Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2011-37, General Subserie Research Paper No. 2011-07, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1935949 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1935949

Nienke Liebregts (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law ( email )

Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

W.J. Benschop

University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law ( email )

Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

D.J. Korf

University of Amsterdam - Faculty of Law ( email )

Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

Peggy Van der Pol

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Margriet Van Laar

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Ron Graaf

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Wim Van den Brink

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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