how much does drug policy matter?: comparing drug use data, netherlands-usa

How Much Does Drug Policy Matter?:Comparing drug use data, Netherlands-USAManja Abraham* Kohnstamm Institute., Universiteit van AmsterdamPeter Cohen* Centruum voor Drugsonderzoek, Universiteit van AmsterdamGerard Gmell Universite de Lausanne Lana Harrison University of DelawareCraig Reinarman University of California, Santa Cruz

Sources:Abraham, M.D., Cohen, P.D.A, De Winter, M.A.L, Van Til, R.J. (1999) Licit and illicit drug use in the Netherlands, 1997. Amsterdam: CEDRO/Mets&SchiltAbraham, M.D., Kaal, H.L., Cohen, P.D.A (2002) Licit and illicit drug use in the Netherlands, 2001. Amsterdam: CEDRO/Mets&SchiltOffice of Applied Studies, SAMSHSA (1998) 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationOffice of Applied Studies, SAMSHSA (2002) 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationReinarman, Cohen and Kaal, The Limited Relevance of Drug Policy: Cannabis in Amsterdam and San Francisco, American Journal of Public Health 94:836-842, 2004]

Cannabis -- life time prevalenceUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Cannabis -- age of first useUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Ecstacy -- life time prevalenceUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Ecstacy -- age of first useUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Heroin -- life time prevalenceUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Heroin -- age of first useUSA and NL, 1997 and 2001, by age group

Ages at first cannabis use, first regular use, and at start of heaviest use among experienced cannabis users (25x>)

Experienced user samples: Frequency of cannabis use in 4 periods, by city (% of all respondents)

Chart1

7.407407407449.53703703743.05555555560

49.074074074140.277777777810.64814814810

10.185185185218.981481481532.407407407438.4259259259

9.259259259319.907407407421.296296296349.537037037

3.773584905735.094339622661.13207547170

39.245283018940.377358490620.37735849060

7.169811320814.339622641546.037735849132.4528301887

5.283018867915.094339622633.584905660446.0377358491

Daily

1x a week or more

< 1x a week

Not at all

Crosstabs

AmsterdamSan FranciscoBremen

n%n%n%

Daily1671041018

> 1x a week572650191324

1x a week502343161222

=> 1x a month602882311425

< 1x a month33158030611

Total21610026510055100

F=14.66; df = 535; p=.000; Tukey Post Hoc: A-S p=.000; S-B p=.000.


n%n%n%

Daily10649104392240

> 1x a week572681312036

1x a week30142610815

=> 1x a month199421647

< 1x a month4212512

Total21610026510055100

A-S: t = -2.66; df = 477; p=.008, sign.

S-B: t = -1.37; df = 91; p=.174, not sign.

A-B: t = .413; df = 269; p=.680, not sign.


n%n%n%

Daily22171911619

> 1x a week29222715722

1x a week12911626

=> 1x a month201542231031

< 1x a month50388045722

Total13310017910032100

A-S: t = -2.39; df = 269; p=.017, sign.

S-B: t = -2.22; df = 209; p=.028, sign.

A-B: t = -.648; df = 163; p=.518, not sign.


n%n%n%

Daily20181410623

> 1x a week30282618623

1x a week1312141028

=> 1x a month17163927727

< 1x a month29275035519

Total10910014310026100

F = 5.38; df = 277; p=.005; Tukey Post-hoc: A-S p=.008.


n%n%n%

Morning3111411

Afternoon321254191216

Evening18568108394561

Night4516100361216

All day837345

Total27310028010074100


n%n%n%

Morning7211422

Afternoon491629101922

Evening16553105363743

Night521787301619

All day371256191214

Total31010028810086100


n%n%n%

Morning32

Afternoon127148718

Evening1227474402667

Night30188445615

All day11105

Total16510018510039100


n%n%n%

Morning1175

Afternoon139139720

Evening977060402366

Night26196443514

All day1164

Total13810015010035100


n%n%n%

Yes312967422142

Maybe363439241122

No403755341836

Total10710016110050100

2 = 5.94; df = 4; p=.204, not sign.


n%n%n%

Yes399879481983

No138552417

Total4010016410023100

2 = 38.00; df = 2; p=.000


n%n%n%

Yes382254291133

No113659149824

Dont know241440221442

Total17510018510033100

2 = 24.54; df = 4; p=.000


n%n%n%

Weekends only823882311427

More in weekends703289342242

Equally weekdays/weekends502368261325

More/only on weekdays146261036

Total21610026510052100

2 =6.03; df = 6; p=.420, not sign.


n%n%n%





Total21610026510053100

2 = 1.67; df = 6; p=.948, not sign.


n%n%n%





Total13210017610031100

2 = 8.46; df = 6; p=.206, not sign.


n%n%n%





Total10810014110025100

2 =6.47; df = 6; p=.373, not sign.


n%n%n%

1: Light buzz241110436

2331532121019

3512469261120

4542562231324

530145220815

6: Very high22103915917

Total21410026410054100

Average3.53.93.7

F = 5.03; df = 531; p=.007, sign. Tukey Post-hoc: A-S p=.004.


n%n%n%


220911459

34823421647

4622983311324

5512482311731

6: Very high20945171426

Total21310026410054100

Average3.94.44.5

F = 14.62; df = 530; p=.000, sign. Tukey Post-hoc: A-S p=.000, A-B p=.001.


n%n%n%


228213218516

344335732619

4282142231031

516122715619

6: Very high4312726

Total13310017910032100

Average3.13.53.5

F = 2.84; df = 343; p=.060, not sign.


n%n%n%


227253122623

331283726727

423213927727

516151611312

6: Very high447528

Total10910014310026100

Average3.23.23.4

F = .26; df = 277; p=.769, not sign.


n%n%n%

Only an hour452173281630

2-3 hrs12257150572547

4+ hrs482240151223

Total21510026310053100

2 = 7.20; df = 4; p=.126, not sign.


n%n%n%


2-3 hrs8439151572751

4+ hrs874074281834

Total21610026310053100

2 = 16.46; df = 4; p=.002, sign.


n%n%n%


2-3 hrs665095531856

4+ hrs1411179825

Total13210017910032100

2 = 9.21; df = 4; p=.056, not sign.


n%n%n%


2-3 hrs545074521558

4+ hrs1211118623

Total10810014310026100

2 = 7.97; df = 4; p=.093, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr773884351531

2-4 gr562858241122

4-7 gr25123414816

7-11 gr201015648

11-14 gr4211524

14-18 gr52167510

18-21 gr521012

21-28 gr317312

>28 gr7313524

Total20210023910049100

F = 1.85; df = 489; p=.158, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)773884351531

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)562858241122

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)492460251429

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)1362410714

>28 gr (> 1oz.)7313524

Total20210023910049100

F = 1.85; df = 489; p=.158, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr3115241024

2-4 gr35173816816

4-7 gr27133013612

7-11 gr38193615816

11-14 gr105261136

14-18 gr73229714

18-21 gr105104612

21-28 gr7310424

>28 gr37184318714

Total20210023910049100

F = 1.55; df = 489; p=.213, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)3115241024

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)35173816816

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)753792381735

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)241242181531

>28 gr (> 1oz.)37184318714

Total20210023910049100

F = 1.55; df = 489; p=.213, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr53408953930

2-4 gr30233219827

4-7 gr2217161027

7-11 gr129127310

11-14 gr118513

14-18 gr222127

18-21 gr1127

21-28 gr2113

>28 gr1186427

Total13110016810030100

A-S: t = 1.52; df = 297; p=.131, not sign.

S-B: t = 2.65; df = 196; p=.009, sign.

A-B: 1.53; df = 159; p=.128, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)53408953930

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)30233219827

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)35273621620

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)2253517

>28 gr (> 1oz.)1186427

Total13110016810030100

A-S: t = 1.52; df = 297; p=.131, not sign.

S-B: t = 2.65; df = 196; p=.009, sign.

A-B: 1.53; df = 159; p=.128, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr44417052832

2-4 gr23212317624

4-7 gr1716151114

7-11 gr111097312

11-14 gr1164

14-18 gr115428

18-21 gr21312

21-28 gr2114

>28 gr1093214

Total10710013510025100

A-S: t = 1.26 df = 240; p=.208, not sign.

S-B: t = 1.96; df = 29; p=.060, not sign.

A-B: t = 1.38; df = 130; p=.171, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)44417052832

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)23212317624

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)29273022416

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)1197624

>28 gr (> 1oz.)1093214

Total10710013510025100

A-S: t = 1.26 df = 240; p=.208, not sign.

S-B: t = 1.96; df = 29; p=.060, not sign.

A-B: t = 1.38; df = 130; p=.171, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr41383742728

2-4 gr23211618832

4-7 gr14131113520

7-11 gr1110910

11-14 gr1145

14-18 gr761128

18-21 gr45

21-28 gr111114

>28 gr1095628

Total1081008810025100

F = .161; df = 220; p=.851, not sign.


n%n%n%

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)41383742728

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)23211618832

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)26242427520

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)8767312

>28 gr (> 1oz.)1095628

Total1081008810025100

F = .161; df = 220; p=.851, not sign.


n%n%n%

Pattern 1178187

Pattern 2136176611

Pattern 324115259

Pattern 410448133502444

Pattern 57325924

Pattern 6512466251833

Total21610026410055100

2 = 32.31; df = 10; p=.000

AmsterdamSan Francisco

n%n%

Until certain level of effect944512246

Specific amount813910841

Continue to maintain level34163413

Total209100264100

2 = 1.11; df = 2; p=.575, not sign.

*Not asked in Bremen


n%n%n%

yes9343103392851

no12357162612749

Total21610026510055100

2 = 2.95; df = 2; p=.228, not sign.


n%n%n%

1950-19591010

1960-19692713441747

1970-1979622991351120

1980-1989994676292749

1990-1995/9251250191324

Total21410026210055100

Average198019801982

A-S: t = -.134; df = 472; p=.894, not sign.

S-B: t = 2.32; df = 88; p=.023, sign.

A-B: t = 2.37; df = 267; p=.018, sign.


n%n%n%

1950-195910

1960-1969157251024

1970-1979532573281018

1980-1989994683322647

1990-1995/9462281311731

Total21310026310055100

Average198219831985

A-S: t = -1.15; df = 474; p=.253, not sign.

S-B: t = 1.12; df = 87; p=.267, not sign.

A-B: t = 1.92; df = 266; p=.056, not sign.


n%n%n%

=< 5 years522431121222

6-10 years562665251120

11-15 years48225220917

16-20 years211039151426

21-25 years2311331336

>= 26 years147441759

Total21410026410054100

Average (years)121513



n%n%n%

=< 5 years323599519

6-10 years23253130830

11-15 years23252221519

16-20 years671616726

21-25 years67111114

>= 26 years22141414

Total9210010310027100

Average (years)101512


Why no use cannabis in future?


n%n%n%

Don't like it, not sociable anymore, no m15252220310

No need for it12201110517

Different lifestyle, different friends9151514310

Negative feelings, bad experiences2344931

I was addicted, I used too much, I am cl231312

It makes you feel stuffy, slow, lethargic, fall asleep5876

Legal issues, drug testing98

Unhealthy1266

Want to set good example for children122227

Religious reasons3522

Paranoia, anxiety55

More pleasant experiences with other drugs1233

I quit smoking1222

More control1211

It leads to others drug use23

Cannot take it anymore27

Want to remain clearheaded27

Pregnancy12

It makes you very passive12

Other4776310

Total responses6110010910029100


MeanStd.Dev.MeanStd.Dev.MeanStd.Dev.

Age first regular use19.15.018.84.818.54.8F = 0.41; p=.665, not sign.

Age heaviest use21.56.022.06.720.35.8F = 1.69; p=.185, not sign.

Age of last use if quit33.39.334.810.233.310.4F = 0.86; p=.423, not sign.

time between first and second use (categories)


n%n%n%

< 1 week462146181018

1 week532546181222

< 1 month432042161120

< 6 months421971281629

6+ months32155321611

Total21610025810055100

F = 3.48; p=.032, sign. Tukey Post-Hoc: A-S: p=.025.

duration period heaviest use (categories)


n%n%n%

< 1 year28134316611

1 year371764241425

=< 2 years622977291222

= 1x a week262613141931101024361311

1x a week231466161045221544

=> 1x a month28998311616152571813

< 1x a month15223133053019112139

Not at all003850003246004253

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100


FYTPLYL3mFYTPLYL3mFYTPLYL3m

Daily7491094397518401111

1x a week or more504019203540141545511615

< 1x a week43113221612046343693122

Not at all003850003246004253

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100



Morning121442512

Afternoon12167919108916221820

Evening685374703936404061436766

Night161718193630454316191514

All day3121131954514

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100



Weekends only386201631832262782620

More in weekends323128293429262842283532



Total100100100100100100100100100100100100



6: Very high10934151775172668

5142412152031151115311912

4252921212331232724243127

324233328261632262071927

2159212512418221991623

1: Light buzz11610740596294

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100



4+ hrs2240111115289823342523

2-3 hrs573950505757535247515658

Only an hour212139392814374130151919

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100


FYTPLYL3mLMFYTPLYL3mLMFYTPLYL3mLM

>28 gr (> 1oz.)318899518426414748

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)61221710183771431172412

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)243727272425382122272935201620

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)281723212124161917182216272432

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)38154041383510535242314303228

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100

Daily

1x a week or more

< 1x a week

Not at all

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Night

All day

Weekends only

More in weekends

Equally weekdays/weekends

More/only on weekdays

6: Very high

5

4

3

2

1: Light buzz

4+ hrs

2-3 hrs

Only an hour

>28 gr (> 1oz.)

14-28 gr (1/2 - 1 oz.)

4-14 gr (1/8 - 1/2 oz.)

2-4 gr (1/16 - 1/8 oz.)

< 2 gr (1/16 oz.)

Experienced users: Average quantity of cannabis used per month [for last-year and last-3-months periods, percentages are of of respondents still using]

Chart1

3.46534653476.435643564424.257425742627.722772277238.1188118812

18.316831683211.881188118837.128712871317.326732673315.3465346535

8.39694656491.526717557326.717557251922.900763358840.4580152672

9.34579439250.934579439327.102803738321.495327102841.1214953271

5.439330543910.041841004225.104602510524.267782426835.1464435146

17.991631799217.573221757338.493723849415.8995815910.0418410042

3.57142857142.976190476221.428571428619.047619047652.9761904762

2.22222222226.666666666722.222222222217.03703703751.8518518519

>28 gr

14-28 gr

4-14 gr

2-4 gr

< 2 gr

draft bardiagrams


FYTPLYL3mLMFYTPLYL3mLMFYTPLYL3mLM

>28 gr318899518426414748

14-28 gr61221710183771431172412

4-14 gr243727272425382122272935201620

2-4 gr281723212124161917182216272432

< 2 gr38154041383510535242314303228

Total100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100

draft bardiagrams

>28 gr

14-28 gr

4-14 gr

2-4 gr

< 2 gr

Experienced users: Intensity of intoxication at typical occasion of cannabis use [for last-year and last-3-months periods, percentages are of of respondents still using]

Experienced users: Duration of intoxication, typical occasion of cannabis use [for last-year and last-3-months periods, percentages are of of respondents still using]

Drug use prevalence Amsterdam and San Francisco (1998)

[source; Reinarman, Cohen and Kaal, The Limited Relevance of Drug Policy: Cannabis in Amsterdam and San Francisco, American Journal of Public Health 94:836-842, 2004]

Table 2: Lifetime and Last-3-Months Prevalence of Other Illicit Drug Use

Amsterdam

San Francisco

Significance

n=216

n=264

chi-square

LTP

L3MP

LTP

L3MP

LTP

L3MP

cocaine

48.1

9.3

73.2

7.5

***

n.s.

crack

3.7

0.5

18.1

1.1

***

1)

amphetamine

37.5

1.9

60.4

4.5

***

n.s.

ecstasy

25.5

9.3

40.0

6.4

***

n.s.

opiates

21.8

0.5

35.5

2.7

***

1)

*** p

Table 1: User rules for regulating cannabis use (% reporting)

n

%

n

%

Not during work, study

58

38.7

68

35.4

Not during the day

43

28.7

9

4.7

Not in traffic

10

6.7

28

14.6

Not in the morning

32

21.3

8

4.2

Never in presence of small children

4

2.7

33

17.2

Not with relatives

9

6.0

28

14.6

Not too often, in moderation

4

2.7

23

12.0

Only if I have no commitments

7

4.7

13

6.8

Not if I must be clear headed

10

6.7

9

4.7

Not in public

7

4.7

14

7.3

Not in combination with alcohol

5

3.3

8

4.2

Only with friends and partner

4

2.7

9

4.7

Other

51

34.1

76

40.2

Total

244(150)

162.7

326(192)

169.8

Amsterdam

San Francisco

How often to you stick to your rules?

n

%

n

%

All the time

97

65

134

70

Most of the time

50

33

55

29

Some of the time

1

1

3

2

Rarely or never

2

1

Total

150

100

192

100

A-S: t = 1.16; df = 296; p=.246, not sign.

Amsterdam

San Francisco

Figure 1: Locations of use, last three months of use [ mean frequency scores: never=0; seldom=1; sometimes=2; often=3; always=4]

Situations thought not suitable for cannabis use: Amsterdam San Francisco

Work (or study)69.3% 52.1%With Parents16.6% 16.9%In public or at events15.6% 15.9%While driving 8.0% 19.6%While concentrating11.1% 11.4%

Emotional states thought suitable for cannabis use:Amsterdam San Francisco

Feeling good, happy, joyful 59.3% 58.7%Feeling relaxed 22.8% 41.4%Feeling sexual 13.8% 6.8%Feeling excited, euphoric 10.2% 5.3%Feeling down, depressed 9.6% 5.2%

Emotional states thought unsuitable for cannabis use: Amsterdam San Francisco

Feeling down, depressed42.4% 29.1%Feeling sad, upset28.1% 16.2%Feeling anxious, paranoid11.4% 32.4%Feeling angry, aggressive, rageful12.1% 23.4%Feeling tense, stressed out15.9% 12.8%Feeling unsafe, insecure10.6% 16.2%

Types of people with whom users would not want to consume cannabis: Amsterdam San Francisco

Parents 54.6% 50.8%Relatives 32.8% 18.3%Co-workers 19.5% 28.8%Strangers 8.6% 20.8%Children 9.8% 16.3%Non-users, people opposed 12.1% 10.0%

Persons users persuaded to not try cannabis:

Persons users persuaded to try cannabis:

how much does drug policy matter?: comparing drug use data, netherlands-usa

Documents