NCJ Number
156248
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1978) Pages: 85-95
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Drug use among males arrested in 1971 was investigated in six metropolitan areas of the United States in order to study the relation between drug use and historical criminal behavior indicated by arrests.
Abstract
The study population was young, with about 56 percent less than 25 years of age and over 74 percent under 30 years of age; about 57 percent were black. Participants responded to questionnaires and were asked to provide a urine sample for analysis. Study findings revealed that drug users had a higher arrest rate than nonusers for all charges. This may have been partially accounted for by the number of drug offenses for which drug users were arrested but also may have reflected a greater number of arrests for other crimes. There was a shift in crimes for which drug users were arrested, from serious crimes against the person to other crimes. Drug users were arrested more often than nonusers for serious crimes against the person. 15 references and 7 tables