NCJ Number
165824
Date Published
1997
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Several large-scale quantitative studies generally support the thesis that an increase in criminality commonly occurs in conjunction with increased heroin use; to investigate this thesis, life history interviews were conducted with 32 heroin addicts in the Wilmington, Delaware, area.
Abstract
All respondents had extensive contact with the criminal justice system. At the time of interview, 24 of the 32 respondents were incarcerated or under some form of correctional authority supervision. Respondents were interviewed regarding childhood and early adolescent experiences that may have served as predisposing factors for eventual drug and criminal involvement, initial encounters with various drug types and criminality, the evolution of drug and criminal careers, activity patterns during peak periods of drug use and criminality, preferences for crime and drug types, and perceptions about the nature and effectiveness of drug treatment. Findings showed the relationship between heroin use and crime was not necessarily consistent throughout drug addict careers. During the occasional user phase, limited drug use was quite affordable with a legitimate income and any criminal activity that occurred was often spurious to drug use. During stabilized junkie and free wheeling junkie phases, drug use appeared to be largely a function of availability and was typically enhanced through criminal income. Life history data revealed the relationship between drugs and crime was complex and dynamic. Implications of the findings for drug law enforcement and drug treatment policies are discussed. 47 references and 1 figure