NCJ Number
187817
Date Published
2000
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study, conducted during February and March of 2000, provides data on drug use among arrestees in the South African metropolitan areas of Cape Town, Durban, and Gauteng.
Abstract
This report covers Phase 2 of the 3-Metros Arrestee Study. It continues to show high levels of drug use among arrestees, with 44 percent of arrestees testing positive for at least one drug, including 36 percent for cannabis, 19 percent for methaqualone and antihistamine, and 3 percent for cocaine. More arrestees in Cape Town tested positive for at least one drug (49 percent) than in the other sites: 47 percent in Durban and 36 percent in Gauteng. The proportion testing positive for at least one drug was highest for arrestees 20 years old or younger, 49 percent of whom had used cannabis and 26 percent methaqualone and antihistamine. Over all sites, more than 50 percent of persons arrested for the following crimes tested positive for at least one drug: motor vehicle theft (74 percent); housebreaking (70 percent); drug and alcohol offenses (63 percent); robbery (53 percent); and other thefts (54 percent). Gender, race, income, and police station differences are also noted in the report. The findings reinforce the recommendations from Phase 1 of this study, i.e., that strategies to reduce drug use and drug-related crime must be area specific. The prevalence of drug use among youth requires specific attention, particularly from the justice and welfare sectors responsible for diversion and rehabilitation. Protocols for dealing with arrestees under the influence of drugs are required. 12 tables