Effects of Polydrug Use on the Criminal Activities of Heroin‐users

Abstract

SummaryWhile heroin users commit crimes, it remains unclear whether they only do so to finance their heroin habits. Many users are criminal before taking heroin, but once taking heroin their need for heroin may determine their criminal activity. Alternatively, the heroin‐crime relationship may be reciprocal, each influencing the other. From structured interviews with 28 heroin‐users, it was found that: (1) Extent of heroin use correlated with theft from strangers and burglary of businesses but not other crimes. (2) Extent of heroin use correlated with working ‘on the side’ (evading tax and/or claiming social security benefits). (3) An economic crime index was predicted by tranquillizer use with heroin use. (4) The use of some other drugs—notably alcohol and sleeping pills—correlated with some crimes. (5) Regression analyses showed a general delinquent pattern and several crimes not predicted by other variables. (6) Heroin use could be well predicted by a complex equation including the extent of use of five different drugs, but only one crime—theft from work. It is concluded that, even amongst heavy heroin users, neither heroin use nor crime adequately predict each other. The uses of other drugs, especially depressants, influenced both heroin and crime.

Drug misuse and acquisitive crime among clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS)

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The epidemiology of benzodiazepine misuse: A systematic review

“…Individuals with opioid use, prescription drug misuse, or injection drug use Benzodiazepine misuse was associated with criminal involvement (Comiskey et al, 2012;Darke et al, 2010;Hammersley et al, 1992;Hammersley and Morrison, 1987;Horyniak et al, 2016;Sutherland et al, 2015) Votaw et al…”

The Association Between Multiple Drug Misuse and Crime

“…However, some writers have discussed the interaction, protective, or additive effects of multiple drugs on the nature or rate of criminal behavior. Hammersley and Morrison (1987) believe that multiple drugs used simultaneously may increase intoxication. One reason for this is that drug combinations might create unique metabolites that are absent when the drugs are used individually.…”