Alcohol and other drug use among street-involved youth in Toronto

This study presents findings from 217 interviews with street-involved youth (160 males, 57 females) conducted in 1992 in Toronto, Canada. Measures of mental health, physical and sexual abuse, substance use, and social service usage are described. In addition, potential predictors of substance use and abuse are evaluated, including demographics, Family dysfunction, environmental influences, intrapersonal factors and motivations for substance use. The analysis indicated that coping and escapism motivations, street exposure and number of services used were positively related to substance use and abuse. In addition, family dysfunction had a positive effect on the number of drugs used. Intrapersonal factors had no direct effect on substance use outcomes.