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Journal of Correctional Health Care
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Article

Epidemiological Criminology: Drug Use Among African American Gang Members

Mark M. Lanier, PhD1*, Robert P. Pack, PhD2, and Timothy A. Akers, PhD3

1 Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
2 College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
3 School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: markmlanier15{at}gmail.com.


  Abstract
Epidemiological methods and public health theories can be tied to theories of crime and delinquency and used to create evidence-based policy. Interdisciplinary theoretical approaches to existing, and emerging, public health and criminal justice problems hold great promise. Differential association theory postulates that close association with delinquent peers leads to an increase in deviant activities such as illicit drug use. Social cognitive theory postulates that health behavior change is driven by the interaction of (a) cognitive states that support a health outcome, (b) the social and contextual environment, (c) and individual action. Combined, these theories can be applied to drug eradication programs as well as other health and crime issues. Focus groups and interviews were performed to identify rates of illicit substance use among incarcerated African American adolescent male gang members and nongang members. The policy recommendations illustrate the convergence of criminological and epidemiological theory under the new paradigm of epidemiological criminology or "EpiCrim."

First published on October 27, 2009
Journal of Correctional Health Care 2009, doi:10.1177/1078345809348199
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