NCJ Number
132137
Journal
Behavioral Sciences and the Law Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 221-242
Date Published
1991
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the research conducted from 1980 to the present on the relationship between drug abuse and crime.
Abstract
Studies of persons processed by the criminal justice system have consistently documented a high prevalence of lifetime and regular drug use among this population. Research conducted within the last ten years, based on self-reports of illicit drug use and crime, provides evidence that rates of use are increasing; however, several independent studies have found that approximately half of all new arrestees underreport recent drug use, even in a confidential research interview. While research over the past ten years has firmly established a relationship between narcotics and/or cocaine use and crime, several issues regarding the etiology, prevention, and treatment of illicit drug abuse as well as the nature of drug-related violence require further study. 99 references (Author abstract modified)