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PubMed · 678840

Do drug offences matter?

A M Gordon
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Abstract

Drug offences in addicts are often thought to indicate little more than continued dependency. In a four-year follow-up study of 60 men attending a drug clinic a history of repeated convictions for drug offences was found to be strongly related to patterns of delinquency. The following variables were associated with a history of repeated drug offences: a higher conviction rate for "non-drug" offences; younger age at first conviction; conviction preceding drug use; convictions for offences of sex and violence; longer prison sentences; and regular narcotic use and continued dependency at follow-up. Receiving a clinic prescription was not associated with a lower incidence of drug offences. Repeated drug offences identified a subgroup of drug users who were characterised by extensive sociopathic behaviour. Such offences should not be dismissed as an unavoidable, unimportant part of addiction.

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Affective SymptomsCrimeCriminal LawFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleSubstance-Related DisordersViolenceJournal Article

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BibTeXRIS

A M Gordon. 1978-07-15. Do drug offences matter?. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.6131.185

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