NCJ Number
166656
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A review of literature on the relationship between heroin addiction and property crime concludes that methadone maintenance treatment reduces both heroin use and crime while the drug addicts are receiving adequate doses of methadone in programs with a maintenance treatment goal.
Abstract
The data came from a small number of randomized controlled experiments; the findings are supported by a substantial number of observational studies, mainly from the United States. The data indicate that the criminal activity of heroin addicts usually begins before their heroin use, but the development of heroin dependence intensifies their criminal activity and entrenches users in a criminal lifestyle. Good reason exists to belief that the impact of methadone maintenance on crime observed in studies from the United States also occurs among heroin addicts receiving methadone maintenance in Australia. The number of heroin-dependent persons enrolled in methadone maintenance programs in Australia has increased steadily over the past decade. Different factors push and pull heroin addicts into this treatment. Approaches that might be tried to increase the numbers include the use of longer-acting opioid drugs such as morphine, alternative methods of delivery, or heroin maintenance for a small group of severely dependent heroin users who have failed at other forms of drug treatment. A decision to expand the availability of methadone maintenance treatment as a crime control measure in Australia should begin cautiously and be accompanied by adequate resources. 88 references