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Stewart SL, Kagawa RMC, Buggs SAL, Wright MA, Wintemute GJ. Drugs, guns, and violent crime in California. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 127:104413. [PMID: 38640707 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence linking use of controlled substances with perpetration of interpersonal violence. While the United States constitution protects the right to own a firearm, federal law prohibits firearm purchase and possession by persons believed to be at high risk for violence, including those who use controlled substances unlawfully. METHODS We report here the results of a 13-year prospective observational study on the risk of violent crime associated with a history of criminal drug charges in a cohort of 79,678 legal purchasers of handguns in California in 2001. The main outcomes were post-purchase charges for any violent crime, violent Crime Index crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault), and firearm-related violent crimes. The main exposure of interest was a history of pre-purchase charge(s) for drug-related offenses; we examined as a secondary exposure a history of marijuana-related charges. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards multiple events models. RESULTS We found that legal handgun purchasers in California with a history of drug-related charges, even those with marijuana charges only, had triple the risk of a post-purchase violent crime charge compared to purchasers with no criminal charges (drug charges only: aHR=2.9, 95 % CI 2.2-3.8; marijuana charges only: aHR=3.3, 95 % CI 1.8-6.0). In addition, a criminal history of drug charges only vs. no criminal history was associated with increased risk of one or more violent crime charges after the first post-purchase arrest event (aHR=1.6, 95 % CI 1.2-2.3). CONCLUSION It is incumbent on researchers and policy makers to understand the nature and causes of this risk in order to take effective steps towards mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Stewart
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Medical Sciences 1-C, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Rose M C Kagawa
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Shani A L Buggs
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Mona A Wright
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Garen J Wintemute
- Violence Prevention Research Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2315 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Couture MC, Kang JE, Hemenway D, Grinshteyn E. Associations between having been threatened or injured with a weapon and substance use and mental health among high school students in the United States. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2021; 29:93-102. [PMID: 34923925 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2021.2004608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Being threatened or injured with a weapon is a serious form of physical bullying. Little is known about the effects of being threatened or injured with a weapon on substance use and mental health among adolescents. A secondary analysis of 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data assessed the associations between having been threatened or injured with a weapon and substance use (binge drinking, marijuana, tobacco use, prescription medication misuse) and mental health (feeling sad or hopeless, considering suicide). Multiple logistic regression models with complex survey weights were used, controlling for potential confounders. Approximately 6.0% of students reported having been threatened/injured with a weapon. After adjusting for covariates, having been threatened/injured with a weapon was associated with binge drinking (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.9-3.4), marijuana (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6-2.7), tobacco use (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 2.0-3.5), and misuse of prescription medication (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.6-3.0) compared with students who have not been threatened/injured. Having been threatened/injured with a weapon was associated with 1.6 times the odds (95% CI: 1.2-2.2) of feeling sad/hopeless and 1.7 times the odds (95% CI: 1.3-2.3) of considering suicide. Having been threatened or injured with a weapon is an important public health issue associated with negative mental health and substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Couture
- Department of Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jee Eun Kang
- Department of Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Hemenway
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erin Grinshteyn
- Department of Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Bossarte RM, Ziobrowski HN, Benedek DM, Dempsey CL, King AJ, Nock MK, Sampson NA, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Mental Disorders, Gun Ownership, and Gun Carrying Among Soldiers After Leaving the Army, 2016-2019. Am J Public Health 2021; 111:1855-1864. [PMID: 34623878 PMCID: PMC8561191 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To examine associations of current mental and substance use disorders with self-reported gun ownership and carrying among recently separated US Army soldiers. Veterans have high rates of both gun ownership and mental disorders, the conjunction of which might contribute to the high suicide rate in this group. Methods. Cross-sectional survey data were collected in 2018-2019 from 5682 recently separated personnel who took part in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers. Validated measures assessed recent mood, anxiety, substance use, and externalizing disorders. Logistic regression models examined associations of sociodemographic characteristics, service characteristics, and mental disorders with gun ownership and carrying. Results. Of the participants, 50% reported gun ownership. About half of owners reported carrying some or most of the time. Mental disorders were not associated significantly with gun ownership. However, among gun owners, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder were associated with significantly elevated odds of carrying at least some of the time. Conclusions. Mental disorders are not associated with gun ownership among recently separated Army personnel, but some mental disorders are associated with carrying among gun owners. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10):1855-1864. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306420).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Bossarte
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Hannah N Ziobrowski
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - David M Benedek
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Catherine L Dempsey
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Andrew J King
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Matthew K Nock
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Nancy A Sampson
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Murray B Stein
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Robert M. Bossarte is with the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Andrew J. King, Nancy A. Sampson, and Ronald C. Kessler are with the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. David M. Benedek, Catherine L. Dempsey, and Robert J. Ursano are with the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD. Matthew K. Nock is with the Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Murray B. Stein is with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla
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