Abstract
BackgroundWe test whether the offending trajectory of those who test positive for opiates is greater than test-negative controls and whether the relationship is constant both prior to, and post, opiate initiation. We consider whether these relationships differ according to gender and offence type. MethodsThe study provides an analysis of historical offending records in adults linked to test results for opiate and cocaine metabolites. Those testing positive for opiates were linked to treatment records to retrieve data on age of opiate initiation. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated to compare opiate positive testers to opiate and cocaine negative controls, separately by gender and adjusting for age and birth cohort. Age of opiate initiation was included in a second model as a time-dependent variable. Within-subject clustering was accounted for using generalised estimating equations. ResultsOpiate-positive cases had higher rates of offending than test-negative controls, both prior to, and post, opiate initiation. Initiation of opiate use increased the RR by 16% for males but doubled it for females. The RR increase in non-serious acquisitive crime was greater than that seen in serious crime. For males only, opiate initiation narrowed the difference in violent offending rate between cases and controls. A larger offending increase was associated with opiate initiation in female, compared to male, users. ConclusionsFor most crime categories, the difference between groups is exacerbated by opiate initiation. The findings indicate that opiate prevention initiatives might be effective in reducing offending, particularly among females.
Highlights
Those dependent on heroin, and other opiates, are disproportionately involved in criminal activity (Bennett et al, 2008); in particular, acquisitive offending (Bukten et al, 2011; Pierce et al, 2015)
Findings support our four a priori hypotheses regarding offending prior to, and post, opiate-use initiation: 1) opiate–positives had higher rates of offending than test-negative controls prior to their opiate-use onset; 2) initiation of opiate use exacerbates existing levels of offending compared to controls; 3) initiation of opiate use was associated with a larger increase in the rate ratio (RR) for female than male users; 4) the effect of opiateuse initiation on historical offending differs by crime type as well as by gender
The current study indicates no apparent increase in violent offending by women associated with opiate initiation, and a relative reduction in violent crime for men
Summary
Those dependent on heroin, and other opiates, are disproportionately involved in criminal activity (Bennett et al, 2008); in particular, acquisitive offending (crimes committed for financial gain) (Bukten et al, 2011; Pierce et al, 2015). The drugs-crime association is an important driver of UK policy, reflected in its prominence in the drug strategies of successive governments (HM Government, 2008; Home Office, 2010) Explanations of this association fall into three groups: 1. We test whether the offending trajectory of those who test positive for opiates is greater than testnegative controls and whether the relationship is constant both prior to, and post, opiate initiation. We consider whether these relationships differ according to gender and offence type. Methods: The study provides an analysis of historical offending records in adults linked to test results for opiate and cocaine metabolites Those testing positive for opiates were linked to treatment records to retrieve data on age of opiate initiation. The findings indicate that opiate prevention initiatives might be effective in reducing offending, among females
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
