VIOLENT DEATH - A COMPARISON BETWEEN DRUG USERS AND NONDRUG USERS

• NCJ Number: 29636
• Author(s): M A ZAHN; M BENCIVENGO
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A SAMPLE OF 270 DRUG USING - AND 205 NON-DRUG USING HOMICIDE VICTIMS WERE COMPARED TO DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS AND THE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR HIGH HOMICIDE RATES AMONG DRUG USERS.

Abstract

DATA FOR THE STUDY WERE DRAWN FROM THE RECORDS OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. SUCH INFORMATION AS AGE, SEX, RACE, MARITAL STATUS, DRUG INVOLVEMENT, AND CRIMINAL HISTORY WERE GATHERED FOR THE VICTIMS STUDIED. THE DATA INDICATED THAT SINGLE, YOUNG, BLACK MALE DRUG USERS WERE HIGH RISK CANDIDATES FOR DEATH BY HOMICIDE. THE DATA ALSO SHOWED THAT WHILE DEATH BY HOMICIDE IS AN ACT WHICH IS SIMILAR IN SOME RESPECTS FOR USERS AND NON-USERS, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR DEATH. FOR DRUG USERS THE DEATH IS MORE LIKELY TO BE A RESULT OF INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUGS, ATTEMPTS TO SECURE THEM, OR ATTEMPTS TO SECURE MONEY FOR THEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)