NCJ Number
213916
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: Winter 2006 Pages: 77-96
Date Published
2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the relationship between methamphetamine use and violence.
Abstract
Supporting previous research findings suggesting a connection from youth aggression to adult violence, findings indicate that long-term influences, such as family (exposure to family deviance), psychological/personality, and peer factors (early childhood aggression, adolescent drug and alcohol use lead to the development of fairly stable, slowly changing differences among individuals in their potential for violence. More specifically, all those interviewed in the study agree that methamphetamine has clear abuse and violence potential. However, it was found that violence was not an inevitable outcome of even chronic methamphetamine use. This study explored the relationship among methamphetamine use and violence by gathering data on the contexts, circumstances, and interactions in events where methamphetamine users utilized violence. Interviews were conducted with 205 respondents who used methamphetamine for a minimum of 3 months and who lived in Los Angeles County. Fifty-five of the 205 respondents had committed violent acts while under the influence of methamphetamine. Tables, references