NCJ Number
16948
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 38-43
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A STUDY IN WHICH THE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR OF 269 NARCOTIC ADDICTED INDIVIDUALS, REFLECTED IN THEIR NEW YORK CITY POLICE ARREST RECORDS, WAS EXAMINED LONGITUDINALLY IN RELATION TO VARIOUS STAGES OF NARCOTICS USE.
Abstract
THREE PHASES OF NARCOTIC ADDICTION WERE STUDIED - BEFORE THE ONSET OF ADDICTION, DURING THE YEARS OF ILLICIT NARCOTIC USE, AND DURING METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT. BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS AND ADDICTION HISTORY OF THE SUBJECTS ARE FIRST DISCUSSED. THE ARREST RECORDS OF EACH SUBJECT WERE STUDIED IN DETAIL. FOR EACH ARREST THE CALENDAR YEAR, THE AGE OF EACH PATIENT, AND THE PATIENT'S ADDICTION STATUS WERE RECORDED. ARREST RECORDS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION IN THE AREA STUDIED WERE USED AS A CONTROL PREDOMINANTLY NONCRIMINAL BEFORE ADDICTION, THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE PATIENTS HAD PROGRESSIVELY INCREASED RATES OF ANNUAL ARRESTS AFTER ADDICTION STARTED. DURING HEROIN USE THE INCREASED ARRESTS WERE PRIMARILY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE DANGEROUS DRUG LAWS, PROSITUTION, VIOLENCE, PROPERTY CRIME, AND MISBEHAVIOR. DURING TREATMENT, THE FREQUENCIES OF ARRESTS FOR VIOLATIONS OF DANGEROUS DRUG LAWS, PROSTITUTION, AND PROPERTY CRIME FELL STEEPLY, APPROACHING THE LEVEL OF THE CONTROL POPULATION, WHILE MISBEHAVIOR AND VIOLENCE REMAINED SOMEWHAT HIGHER THAN THE CONTROL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)