NCJ Number
118035
Date Published
1989
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Information from 7,326 adults placed on probation in Massachusetts from July 1987 through February 1988 was used to analyze the nature and extent of substance use among the Massachusetts probation population and the specific criminal activities with which it is associated.
Abstract
Results showed that at least 67 percent of the probation population has a serious substance abuse problem. Twenty-five percent of the substance abusers had a criminal record by the time they were 16; 60 percent by the time they were 19. Substance abusers are increasingly involved in crimes that are predatory, destructive, and dangerous rather than simple property crimes. In comparison to nonabusers, substance abusers are more educationally disadvantaged, have employability problems, have more family problems, and generally lack peer social support networks. Substance abusers also had more active criminal lifestyles than nonabusers. Females were typically involved with controlled substances, while males were involved with both controlled substances and alcohol. Data tables and 25 references.