NCJ Number
223643
Date Published
March 2008
Length
150 pages
Annotation
This report provides data on the drug-use patterns and criminal behavior of detainees in various “watch-houses” in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia through the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia (DUMA) program operated by the Australian Institute of Criminology, State police services, and local researchers.
Abstract
The report provides a sociodemographic profile of the detainees (gender; age; education, employment, and marital status; dependent children; type of accommodation; and offending history). Information is also provided on the prevalence of drug use among detainees, including individual drug types, as well as single and multiple drug use. These data are derived from both urinalysis and self-report. Urinalysis tested for cannabis, opiates, methadone, cocaine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines. Self-reports addressed drug use in the 30 days and 12 months preceding arrest, and “ever” for amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, hallucinogens, street methadone, and benzodiazepines. Information is provided on various behavioral characteristics, such as age of first drug use, and attitudes of the drug users in the sample. Attention is given to various sociodemographic factors associated with drug types, as well as single and multiple drug usage. Information is provided on market dynamics, such as the use of cash or other means to obtain various types of drugs; ways of making contact with dealers; and perceived risks of selling or buying various drugs. Data also address associations between illicit drug use and criminal behavior and changes in the drug-use patterns of Queensland detainees over time. Where possible, the findings have been compared with data from drug research that uses sources other than watch-house detainees. Although DUMA data are collected quarterly, the quarters were collapsed into 12-month periods for this report. Annual data are provided for 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, and 2004-05. Extensive tables and figures, 69 references, and appended offense categories