Chapter 13 - Drugs, Crime, and Crime Prevention

Abstract

This chapter explores the relationship between drug use and crime, and secondary prevention efforts to address drug use and abuse. The issue of drug use is best addressed within the framework of secondary prevention. Drug use is one means of predicting or identifying potential offenders and problems in society. Targeting those involved in drug use may serve to alleviate the problems (crime and otherwise) that stem from drug use. The fact that the actual concern in dealing with drugs lies with the related crime and societal problems means that drug issues are most properly dealt with in terms of secondary prevention. The discussion addresses the level of drug use/abuse in society, the relationship between drug use and crime, and the effectiveness of different interventions to prevent use and subsequent offending.