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
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
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