The Association Between Multiple Drug Misuse and Crime

Abstract

Research that has investigated the association between specific drug types and crime has tended to focus on the specific drug type in isolation from other drugs. The main problem with this is that it cannot be assumed that the association between specific drug use and crime will be the same regardless of the additional drugs consumed. The research aimed to investigate whether there was a correlation between number and type of drugs used and involvement in crime. The analysis of multiple drug use was based on data collected as part of the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program in the United Kingdom. The results showed that both the number of drug types consumed and the particular drug type combinations used explained offending rate. The research concluded that the investigation of links between multiple drug use and crime might help inform antidrugs strategies and treatment services.

Relationship Between Psychiatric Distress and Criminal History Among Intravenous Drug Abusers in Iran

“…It has been reported that various pharmaceutical combinations may cause higher levels of violence due to their chemical nature (14). In this study, in the presence of confounding variables drug abusers with the lowest level of education had higher chances of committing crimes than drug abusers with higher levels of education.…”

“…Furthermore, concomitant addiction to both narcotics and alcohol did not increase the chance of criminal activity. On the other hand, some studies (14,15) reported that the probability of criminal activity is higher in the case of multiple drug use. Chaiken et al (24) also reported that the rate of criminal activity in multiple drug users in the USA was 10 -20 times higher than the rest of drug abusers (15).…”

“…The findings of available studies also show that the particular drug type combinations are also influential in criminal activity (14,15), and research reports show that investigation of the relationship between crime and particular drug type combinations provides valuable information for anti-drugs strategies and treatment services (15).…”

“…Furthermore, Nurco et al found a significant relationship between heroin addiction and criminal activity (13). Bennett et al showed that there is a positive linear relationship between multiple drug use and the number of perpetrated crimes too (14). These illegal substances may affect judgment or behavior directly, or they may lead to criminal behavior indirectly, when the addicted individual craves for the abused drugs (15).…”

Perfil criminológico en pacientes adictos en tratamiento

“…Although studies to date have confirmed a strong relationship between criminal conduct and substance abuse (Bennett & Holloway, 2005;Coid, Carvell, Kittler, Healey, & Henderson, 2000;Felson & Staff, 2010;Menard, Mihalic & Huizinga, 2001;Roca & Caixal, 1999;Sanford & Arrigo, 2005;Santamaría & Chait, 2004), the causal direction of the relationship has not been identified (Boles & Miotto, 2003;Kuhns & Clodfelter, 2009). Addiction can lead to criminal behaviour because many addicts commit crimes to finance their habits and avoid withdrawal symptoms (Bennett & Holloway, 2005).…”