Discussing the “gateway hypothesis” for onset of illegal-drug use
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Abstract
Introduction: data from the National Surveillance System of Addictions show an increasing prevalence of illegal-drug use, most notably in the country’s northern border region and in western states, as well as a trend to earlier ages for illegal-drug use initiation. There are few studies in Mexico that address in detail the onset of illegal-drug use. This paper describes intensity and timing of onset of drug use between ages 10-25 years, using life tables.
Objective: to test the “gateway hypothesis” using a discrete survival regression model with data from the National Survey of addictions 2011.
Method: discrete survival regression model to measure the effect on timing at first illegal-drug use of the age at first use of alcohol, in comparison with the effect of drug use among significant others.
Results: the effects of both variables are different in every moment of life span. The effect of age of alcohol use onset is less significant compared to having significant others using drugs.
Discussion: findings suggest the need to relativize the “gateway hypothesis”, incorporating contextual variables that intervene in an early initiation of drug use.
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