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Illicit Opiates and Crime: Results of an Untreated User Cohort Study in Toronto

NCJ Number
189182
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 43 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 197-217
Author(s)
Benedikt Fisher; Wendy Medved; Maritt Kirst; Jurgen Rehm; Louis Gliksman
Date Published
April 2001
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper examines criminal activity by illicit opiate users in Canada.
Abstract
The paper presents data concerning criminal activity and involvement in the criminal justice system of a convenience sample of 114 untreated illicit opiate users in Toronto. This self-report data include such variables as illegal income, types of offenses, and criminal history. Criminal activity is widespread among illicit opiate users, and consists primarily of property and drug-related offenses to generate income. Involvement in violent offenses is very limited. The paper estimates that the annual social cost for this sample is more than $5 million; projection of this figure onto the total estimated population of illicit opiate users in Canada would yield a total social cost in the multi-billion dollar range. The paper suggests that attempts to reduce the social harm, cost burden, and criminal justice system consequences from illicit opiate use might include: (1) a substantive increase in the range and effectiveness of treatment; (2) an increase in the number of opiate users in methadone maintenance treatment; and (3) consideration of alternative opiate pharmacotherapy treatment regimes, including injectable heroin prescription. Tables, note, references

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