Substance use pattern, self‐control and social network are associated with crime in a substance‐using population

Abstract

Stimulant use, higher number of different substances used, lower self-control, primarily a substance-using social network and being younger were associated with crime in this substance-using population. Treatment clinics should consider these risk factors for crime, and suitable interventions should be implemented and evaluated. [Skjaervø I, Skurtveit S, Clausen T, Bukten A. Substance use pattern, self-control and social network are associated with crime in a substance-using population. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:245-252].

Similarities and Differences in Victimization Risk Factors for Nonoffending and Offending Substance Users

“…"Did you think your use of substances was out of control?") (Skjaervø et al, 2017). The internal consistency of the scale was α=0.68 in our sample.…”

“…This shows a low level of specialization within types of crime, for instance only 1% had committed violent crime only or traffic violations only. For 93%, income-generating crime was among the types of crime committed, followed by traffic violations (40%) and violent crime (30%) (Skjaervø et al, 2017). For life-time history of incarceration, "Have you ever served a prison sentence?"…”

“…There were no exclusion criteria for participation in the study, however allocation to OMT or in-patient treatment assumes a certain severity of mainly illicit substance use. The evaluation process and criteria for allocation of treatment in Norway have been described in more detail previously ("Nasjonal retningslinje for legemiddelassistert rehabilitering ved opioidavhengighet ", 2010; "Prioriteringsveileder Tverrfaglig spesialisert rusbehandling (TSB)," 2012; Skjaervø et al, 2017).…”

“…Forty-one per cent had completed more than 10 years of education (mandatory level) and 11% were currently employed or under education. A more detailed description of the procedure has been given previously (Muller, Skurtveit, & Clausen, 2016;Skjaervø et al, 2017).…”

“…Substance using populations have a high prevalence of crime victimization experiences, such as violent and sexual victimization (French, McCollister, Alexandre, Chitwood, & McCoy, 2004;McElrath, Chitwood, & Comerford, 1997;McKeganey, Neale, & Robertson, 2005;Stevens et al, 2007) and property victimization (McElrath et al, 1997;Stevens et al, 2007). Simultaneously, there is a high prevalence of committed crime in the population, primarily income-generating crime, but also traffic-violations and violent crime (Best, Hernando, Gossop, Sidwell, & Strang, 2003;March, Oviedo-Joekes, & Romero, 2005;Oteo Perez, Benschop, Blanken, & Korf, 2015;Skjaervø, Skurtveit, Clausen, & Bukten, 2017;D. Stewart, Gossop, Marsden, & Rolfe, 2000).…”