NCJ Number
220078
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 341-373
Date Published
July 2007
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study examined drug use patterns and the extent of criminal activities, such as drug dealing, property crime, and sex work in five Canadian cities, and it also examined factors associated with these crimes, with special regard to predictive differences among cities.
Abstract
Findings revealed substantial differences among the cities regarding both the extent and frequency of illegal activities. In regard to local differences, multiple logistic regression models revealed that crack use was strongly associated with property time in Toronto, while cocaine use was strongly related with sex work in Montreal and Quebec City. This evidence points to local dynamics of drug cultures that are related to specific criminal activities. Past research has well documented that illicit drug users tend to be engaged in criminal activities as a revenue source. However, little is known of the nature of associations between criminal activities and illicit drug use in Canada. This multi-site study analyzed self-reported involvement in property crime, drug dealing, and sex work, across 5 Canadian cities, among a sample of 677 illicit opioid and other drug users outside of treatment. First, it assessed drug use patterns and the extent of illegal income-generating behavior for each city. It then analyzed factors and city interactions contributing to engagement in the respective criminal activities, including drug use patterns, socioeconomic characteristics, and other illegal activities. City-specific patterns of crime prediction were explored, identifying local drug-crime associations. Tables, figure, and references