Analysis of Gandhi et al.’s Study on Heroin Use Among Young People Research Paper

Introduction

The 2006 study by Gandhi and colleagues focuses on the use of heroin among young people in Baltimore. To ensure that the study was successful, the authors paid attention to the tools they used and how they presented the information about the issue and the purpose of the work. Through the qualitative assessment instruments and the work’s aim, the writers not only successfully justify the need for such kind of research but outline the main characteristics of the users for further treatment.

Study Analysis

Within the introduction section, the authors explicitly communicate that heroin use by young people is worthy of research. The first way in which it is evident is through an emphasis on the prevalence and trend of heroin use among young individuals. For instance, Gandhi and colleagues (2006) point to the statistic that during the mid-1990s, there was an increase in the number of individuals who tried heroin, with over a quarter being under the legal age of 18.

Additionally, the authors create a sense of urgency by focusing on the fact that the patterns and perceptions of the younger population’s heroin use differ from those of the older generation. To delve deeper, the writers claim that the prevailing majority of users are concentrated in urban areas instead of large cities. Finally, given the limited literature on such an issue, the authors assure the audience that the research work that explores heroin use among young people is crucial. Overall, the authors grab the attention of the readers by focusing on the urgency, trends, and scarcity of knowledge.

Moving forward, another element of the paper worthy of mentioning is the purpose of the study. According to Gandhi and colleagues (2006), the work aims to outline the characteristics suitable for young heroin user treatment based on the qualitative survey. As for the assessment instruments, several tools were used, more specifically, the Addiction Severity Index, the Readiness to Change Questionnaire, a respondent locator form, and a qualitative questionnaire (Gandhi et al., 2006). Prior to implementing the tools, the authors evaluated the participants. To further interpret data that was collected with the help of the mentioned tools, the researchers put value to each response, such as “supporting,” “refuting,” or “neither.” Consequently, the responses were calculated to achieve a particular value.

Finally, the findings outlined seven qualitative characteristics of the study participants. The first value was the first use of heroin, with the majority of respondents having exposure to drugs at a young age. The following quality is the first use of heroin, which emphasized that close people mainly influenced participants. The third value of current heroin use showed that more than half of individuals still use the drug daily. Then, family and social support demonstrated that respondents have almost no help, with people knowing of their addiction.

Moreover, the drug treatment characteristic emphasized that the majority of individuals found it challenging to seek help and get into treatment programs. Meanwhile, the characteristics of illegal activities showed that over half of the participants engaged in illegal activity. Finally, the health characteristics supported the fact that the individuals had no concerns about their well-being.

Conclusion

Hence, the authors not only successfully demonstrate the need for this type of study but highlight the key features of the users for future treatment using the qualitative evaluation tools and the work’s purpose. The writers draw the reader’s attention by emphasizing the urgency, trends, and information shortage. The purpose of the paper is to describe the qualities appropriate for young heroin users’ therapy based on a qualitative survey. The Readiness to Change Questionnaire and the Addiction Severity Index, as well as a qualitative questionnaire and a respondent locator form, were a few of the evaluation tools that were employed. Seven characteristics were outlined by the authors, such as early life history, first heroin use, current heroin use, family and social support, drug treatment, illegal activities, and health.

Reference

Gandhi, D. H., Kavanagh, G. J., & Jaffe, J. H. (2006). Young heroin users in Baltimore: A qualitative study. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 32(2), 177-188. Web.