Arizona Youth Survey (AYS)
The AYS is a biennial survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students enrolled in
publicly funded schools in Arizona. The survey contains questions about risk and
protective factors, drug use, and delinquency among other topics. This survey and
the data it produces provide policymakers and practitioners with the information
needed to engage in data driven decision making. Data collection for the 2010 AYS
is complete. The final sample includes 63,784 students and 372 schools representing
all 15 counties in Arizona.
Annual Gang Report
The SAC is statutorily required to conduct an analysis of gangs and gang activity in
Arizona. Utilizing a threat assessment tool developed by the National Alliance of Gang
Investigator’s Associations, SAC staff assesses annually the prevalence and activity of
gangs and gang members in Arizona. The Arizona Gang Threat Assessment is based on surveys
completed by local police agencies, county sheriffs’ offices, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Children of Incarcerated Parents
SAC staff, in collaboration with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State
University, is conducting a study of children of incarcerated parents. There are two components
to the project: 1) Original data collection during the intake process (males) and among the general
population (females) that will provide Arizona with the most recent and accurate estimates of the
number of children living in Arizona who have a parent currently incarcerated in an Arizona Department
of Corrections (ADC) facility; and 2) development of a plan for institutionalizing the collection of
this information in a reliable and comprehensive manner.
Drug Data Clearinghouse: Community Data Project
SAC staff is working on a project supported by federal grant funds to enhance access to drug and
crime data for policymakers and practitioners. The primary goal of the drug data clearinghouse
Community Data Project is to serve as a central repository for federal, state, and local data on
drugs, drug use, and related activity. For enhancing access to these data, SAC staff is developing
three mechanisms through which data can be accessed: 1) an interactive web site that allows users
to select the types of data they would like to view or download; 2) an annual substance abuse coalition
data book for all community coalitions addressing drug use in their jurisdictions; and 3) a series of
drug data briefs that provide a foundational understanding of drug use in Arizona and summarizes the
research conducted by SAC staff and external collaborators. In October, 2010 the ACJC
web-based tool titled “Community Data Project” was launched giving users access to a variety of data
on crime and substance use and abuse. The Community Data Project can be accessed at:
http://www.bach-harrison.com/arizonadataproject/Indicators.aspx..
Nature and Extent of Identity Theft and Domestic Violence
In September, 2010 the SAC was awarded a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to utilize Arizona’s
Computerized Criminal History (ACCH) record system data to better understand domestic violence and sexual
assault in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has provided SAC staff with an ACCH extract to
investigate the degree to which identity theft and domestic violence can be better understood by looking
at Arizona’s criminal history record system.