Crime and Drug Misuse: Economic and Psychological Aspects of the Criminal Ctivities of Heroin and Amphetamine Injectors

Abstract

Much of the theorizing about the relationship between acquisitive crime and illicit drugs is based upon studies of heroin misusers. In this paper the association between crime and drug misuse is explored using data from two groups of respondents-heroin injectors and amphetamine injectors. Comparisons between these two groups of drug misusers revealed differences that are incompatible with simple theorizing in terms of economic factors. Results suggest that a variety of factors are involved which include those that are non-economic in origin and may be related to the drug of choice.

Key Words:

• Drug misuse
• amphetamine
• crime