Motives and Sources for Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Criminal Justice System Contact.

Abstract

Background: This study addresses a gap in literature by examining associations between criminal justice system contact (i.e., arrest, probation, parole) and prescription opioid misuse motives and sources among adolescents and young adults.

Methods: Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015-2019) were analyzed. Respondents reporting past-year prescription opioid misuse completed follow-up questions on motives (e.g., pain relief, relaxation/sleep, recreational) and sources (e.g., doctor, free from friend/relative, purchased, theft). Motives and sources were modeled as a function of criminal justice system contact and relevant covariates, separately by age group.

Results: Multinomial logistic regression revealed significant differences by criminal justice contact. Both adolescents and young adults with criminal justice system contact were more likely to report recreational or sleep/relaxation motives compared to pain relief. Among young adults, criminal justice system contact was associated with greater likelihood of obtaining opioids for free, through purchase, or by theft rather than from a doctor.

Conclusions: The elevated likelihood of endorsing riskier motives and sources identifies adolescents and young adults with criminal justice system contact as a high-need population for targeted substance use programming. A multidimensional framework addressing the intersection of crime and health is essential to reducing disparities and criminal involvement.