The issue of drugs and crime among a sample of incarcerated women

Based on a sample of incarcerated women in Quebec prisons in 1989, this study focuses on drug use and abuse and its relation to crime with a special concern for age of onset, nature of conviction, previous involvement in criminal activities, motivation, and other related variables. The emerging profile of these subjects is one of drug‐related problems rather than a deep involvement in criminality. Within this population of women prisoners a strong link between drugs and crime is still difficult to establish. In conclusion, it is suggested that future research rely more on qualitative analyses to gather a better understanding of the operating processes.