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Criminal Justice and Drug Abuse

Brief Description

Drug abuse is implicated in at least three types of drug-related offenses: (1) offenses defined by drug possession or sales, (2) offenses directly related to drug abuse (e.g., stealing to get money for drugs), and (3) offenses related to a lifestyle that predisposes the drug abuser to engage in illegal activity, for example, through association with other offenders or with illicit markets. Individuals who use illicit drugs are more likely to commit crimes, and it is common for many offenses, including violent crimes, to be committed by individuals who had used drugs or alcohol prior to committing the crime, or who were using at the time of the offense.

Related Publications

Publication Cover

Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations - A Research-Based Guide

Published September 2006. Revised January 2012.
Presents research-based principles of addiction treatment that can inform drug treatment programs and services in the criminal justice setting.

Publication Cover

Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: What Works with Offenders

Published July 2006.
Provides an overview of drug abuse treatment principles derived from research findings in the areas of criminology and drug abuse treatment.

Related Resources

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

This page was last updated December 2012

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