Narcotics and crime: An analysis of existing evidence for a causal relationship

Abstract

The research literature investigating criminality and narcotics addiction is reviewed for evidence concerning the nature of their etiologic relationship. An emphasis is placed upon empirical investigations published after 1960 and upon existing literature reviews of this field. Citing various approaches and paradigms utilized by prior researchers, an attempt is made to converge qualitatively distinct lines of research to a common conclusion. It is shown that (1) pre- and post-addiction studies show increases in property crime contiguous with the onset of addiction; (2) first arrest generally precedes narcotics addiction; (3) pre- and during treatment studies, as well as during and post-treatment studies, show relative decreases in property crimes during methadone maintenance; and (4) property crime increases monotonically with level, or intensity, of narcotics use throughout the addiction career when analyzed in aggregate form. It is concluded that, although a substantial number of addicts are criminally involved prior to addiction, addiction is a criminogenic agent in contemporary American society and that narcotics use levels are the most direct and plausible explanation for the high aggregate levels of property crime exhibited by research subjects when addicted. In addition, prescriptions for future research methodologies are discussed. Language: en