Drug Offenders in Taiwan and the United States: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

• NCJ Number: 192483
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 36 Issue: 12 Dated: 2001 Pages: 1677-1697
• Author(s): Furjen Deng Ph.D.; Michael S. Vaughn Ph.D.; Lou-Jou Lee Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article compares drug offenders in Taiwan and the United States.

Abstract

Using data collected from nationwide surveys of drug-using offenders in the United States and Taiwan, this article compares offender differences with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, childhood experiences, drug use and treatment patterns, and criminal histories. The experiences of U.S. drug-using offenders are more complex, with multiple routes and consequences of drug use, while the social constructionist view is more appropriate to explain the experience of Taiwanese drug-using offenders. Overall, U.S. drug-using offenders reported earlier drug and criminal involvement, experienced more prior arrests, and committed more non-drug-related crimes. Family problems were more prevalent among U.S. offenders, and U.S. offenders used a variety of drugs and participated in multiple treatment programs. The article concludes that, to effectively eliminate the problem of drug misuse, the Taiwanese government should focus on treatment instead of imprisonment, while the United States should target troubled teens and families. Notes, tables, references