NCJ Number: 203400
Title: Criminal Violence and Drug Use: An Exploratory Study Among Substance Abusers in Residential Treatment
Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume:37 Issue:3/4 Dated:2003 Pages:109-121
Author(s): Eric J. Workowski
Date Published: 2003
Annotation: This study examined the relationship between criminal violence and type of substance abuse among 184 current and former
residents of an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility in
Allentown, PA ("Keenan House").
Abstract: Keenan House is a modified therapeutic community with a capacity to serve 85 clients. Eighty-nine percent (n=164) of the sample was referred through the criminal justice system, and the
remaining 11 percent were referred by either a physician, a family member, another drug and alcohol abuse care provider, or themselves. For the regression analyses used in the study, the dependent variable was a composite variable calculated from each case's self-reported scores on six measures of violence that occurred during the last 6 months outside of the program. These
variables included number of aggravated assaults, number of
simple assaults, number of robberies, number of domestic
assaults, number of stalking incidents/terroristic threats made,
and number of illegal gun carrying/possession incidents. Out of the total amount of crime committed by the subjects, violence
accounted for only 13 percent, drug-related crime accounted for
57 percent, and property crime accounted for 23 percent. Neither
multiple regression, stepwise regression, nor factor analysis
found criminal violence to be predicted by substance abuse,
drug-dealing activity, or a collection of demographic variables
often theoretically linked to violence (youthfulness; having an
early onset of criminal activity; and being male, minority, unmarried, and dually diagnosed). The strongest predictor of
violence was the existence of multiple types of criminal
behavior. A significant correlation was found between multiple
types of criminal behavior and polydrug use. The study suggests
this may be due to a general lifestyle of deviance. 4 tables and
12 references
Main Term(s): Drug effects
Index Term(s): Drug Related Crime; Pennsylvania; Violence causes
Publisher: http://www.HaworthPress.com
Page Count: 13
Format: Article
Type: Report (Study/Research)
Language: English
Country: United States of America
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=203400
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