NCJ Number
169753
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 771-783
Date Published
1997
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examines violent and property crime victimization among a group of injection drug users.
Abstract
The study uses routine activity theory to examine violent and property crime victimization among a sample of 308 injection drug users (IDUs). The findings suggest that victimization rates of IDUs were much higher than rates for the general urban population. Generally, crime involvement did not contribute significantly to victimization risk. Use of crack-cocaine increased the likelihood of property crime victimization whereas heroin use decreased the probability of both violent and property crime victimization. Other drug lifestyle activities (e.g., waiting in uncomfortable situations to buy drugs) also affected victimization risk. Finally, the results suggest that victimization differed by age and by gender, despite controls for drug use and drug lifestyle activities. The article suggests that older persons in the sample were significantly less likely than younger persons to be victimized by violent crime because they had developed the street skills necessary to avoid violent victimization. Females' greater rate of victimization by property crime may reflect offenders view that women are easy targets who pose less risk. Tables, note, references, appendix