Reexamining the Drugs-crime Linkage: Focusing on Drug Dependence and Drug-related Offenses

• In Event: Understanding the Complexities of Criminal Offending & Drug Use/Misuse

Abstract

Evidence on the relationship between drugs and crime has been inconclusive. One of the reasons for the inconsistency is a misconception that drug use is equivalent to drug dependence. Another reason is the use of criminal activities that are loosely related to drug problems to measure the potential influence of drug use. To improve on previous research, this study focuses on drug dependence as a predictor of crime. Further, it uses criminal behavior specifically related to drug use to measure the impact of drug dependence. This approach lends more validity to the empirical results. Through the analysis of data collected from a large sample of male and female drug users in China, the current study shows that drug dependence significantly and positively predicts drug-related crime. The relationship between drug dependence and the prevalence and incidence of crime remains significant after controlling for common correlates of crime, including self-control, social bond, and deviant association.

Authors

• Spencer De Li, University of Macau

• Ruohui Zhao, University of Macau

• Haiyan Liu, University of Macau

• Hongwei Zhang, Jian University