Appendix: Pulse Check Methodology
Since its first publication in 1992, Pulse Check has provided the most current intelligence about drug markets and patterns of drug abuse nationwide. The Pulse Check draws on discussions with ethnographers and epidemiologists working in the drug field; law enforcement agents in Federal, and State agencies; and substance abuse treatment providers from small and large programs nationwide. All sources describe drug-related activity in their area over the previous six month period.
Ethnographers, Epidemiologists, and Other Ethnographic Sources
Ethnography is a mode of research that analyzes the behavior of groups in the natural settings where this behavior occurs. Ethnographers use field observations and in-depth interviews to gather data. Ethnography is not undercover work. Rather, the ethnographer, who is fully revealed as a social science researcher, enters the drug users' world to record and describe it "on its own terms," that is, without predetermined ideas.
Epidemiologists also report for Pulse Check. Epidemiologists study the origins, spread and control of diseases in a general public health paradigm. In the field of substance abuse, they track changes in patterns of drug use, including the incidence and prevalence of the use of specific drugs, characteristics of users, and emerging trends. Many epidemiologists who report for the Pulse Check are also members of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Community Epidemiology Working Group (CEWG).
The ethnographic and epidemiologic sources contacted by Pulse Check include some of the best known drug researchers in the country. In some cases, they are trained ethnographers; in other cases, they are epidemiologists with access to ethnographic information. A few are researchers working in a field site collecting ethnographic data. Reporters are generally the same for each round of calls, though availability influences the selection as well.
Nine ethnographers, epidemiologists, and other ethnographic sources reported for this issue of Pulse Check. All reported from urban areas, with the exception of John Galea in New York, who described drug use in suburban Orange County, rather than New York City. He has reported on New York City in prior issues of Pulse Check. A complete list of sources follows:
Atlanta, GA: Claire Sterk-Elifson, Ph.D. Women's and Children's Center, School of Public Health, Emory University.
Austin, TX: Jane Maxwell, M.A. Director, Needs Assessment Department, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Bridgeport, CT: Garry Geter. Addictions Counselor, Connecticut Department of Health.
Denver, CO: Stephen Koester, Ph.D. Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Miami, FL: Bryan Page, Ph.D. Professor of Anthropology and Psychiatry and Deputy Director, Center for the Biopsychosocial Study of AIDS, University of Miami.
New York, NY: John Galea, M.A. Chief of Ethnography, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Former Commanding Officer of the New York City Police Department Youth Gang Intelligence Unit.
San Antonio/El Paso, TX: Reyes Ramos, Ph.D. Institute of Texas Cultures, University of Texas.
San Francisco, CA: Sheigla Murphy, Ph.D. Center for Substance Abuse Studies, Institute for Scientific Analysis.
Seattle, WA: Michael Gorman, Ph.D. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington.
Police Sources
Police sources are drawn from Abt Associates' database of law enforcement contacts and from contacts developed through the recommendations of law enforcement agencies. These sources typically are officers working on special squads or narcotics task forces, or in some cases, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This issue of Pulse Check reached police sources in 10 cities. Reporters are generally the same for each round of calls. When police contacts must change as officers take on new positions, replacements are typically made on the recommendation of the officer who had been the Pulse Check reporter.
Treatment Providers
Sixty-eight treatment providers reported for this Pulse Check. The sample of treatment providers is derived from the National Facility Register, a directory of treatment programs compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The listings are divided into four regions that have a similar number of treatment programs and are treated equally for sampling. The states in each region are listed below.
- Region I (Northeast): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania
- Region II (Mid-Atlantic and South): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia
- Region III (Midwest): Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
- Region IV (West/Southwest): Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska
Topics of Discussion
Below is a sample of topics that are raised with Pulse Check reporters.
ETHNOGRAPHERS, EPIDEMIOLOGISTS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SOURCES
- Level of illicit drug use in the community. Changes in the use of drugs over the last six months.
- Age, ethnicity, and sex of users in your area.
- Frequency of use, prevailing routes of administration. Changes over the last six months.
- Who is selling. Changes in this group over the last six months. Other drugs sold by this group.
- Current prices. Changes in prices over the last six months. Typical units of purchase.
TREATMENT PROVIDERS
- Proportion of population reporting heroin/cocaine/marijuana/alcohol as the primary drug of abuse.
- Proportion of population that is injecting versus snorting/smoking the drug. Changes in this proportion over the last six months.
- Other drugs used.
- Characteristics (e.g., age, ethnicity, and sex) of clients.
- Proportion of population that has had prior treatment.
