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Lifetime Criminality of Heroin Addicts in The United States

NCJ Number
117121
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Dated: (Summer 1982) Pages: 225-239
Author(s)
J C Ball; L Rosen; J A Flueck; D N Nurco
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A probability-based sample of 243 addicts was selected from a population of 4,069 known male opiate users arrested or identified by Baltimore police between 1952 and 1971.
Abstract
The sample was interviewed and their criminal histories were traced over an 11-year risk period during which they were on the street. It was found that these addicts had committed more than 473,000 crimes. As measured by crime days per year at risk, the average addict committed over 178 offenses per year and almost 2,000 offenses during his post-onset lifetime. Although the predominant offense committed by the sample was theft, these addicts also were involved in a wide range of other crimes, including drug sales, robbery, forgery, pimping, assault, and murder. While few of the addicts had been hospitalized for their drug abuse during the years from onset of abuse to time of interview, most had spent considerable time in prison. The probability of arrest for the sample was low, as less than 1 percent of their crime days was marked by arrest, although arrest rates were highest among those addicts with the greatest number of crime days per year at risk. On the basis of these results, it is estimated that the 450,000 heroin addicts in the United States commit more than 50,000,000 crimes per year and that their lifetime criminality exceeds 819,000,000 offenses. 4 tables and 15 references. (Author abstract modified)

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