Historique
Article de Périodique
The association between drug dependence and drug possession charges (2014)
Auteur(s) :
KOPAK, A. M. ;
HOFFMANN, N. G.
Année
2014
Page(s) :
87-95
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Thésaurus géographique
ETATS-UNIS
Thésaurus mots-clés
DEPENDANCE
;
POSSESSION DE DROGUE
;
DELIT
;
PRODUIT ILLICITE
;
ARRESTATION
;
INCULPATION
;
CRIMINOLOGIE
Résumé :
Purpose: The current study investigated the extent to which drug dependence was associated with the probability of being charged with drug possession compared to drug sales or other offenses.
Design: Data were drawn from the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) II program which collected information from 10 cities across the U.S. between April 1 and September 30, 2010. The sample was comprised of male arrestees between the ages of 18-65 who reported past drug use (n = 2,193).
Findings: Multinomial logistic regression results indicated the odds of being arrested for drug possession compared to other types of offenses increased by 12% for each additional symptom of drug dependence reported by arrestees (RRR = 1.12, 95% C. I. = 1.06-1.19). In contrast, drug dependence did not predict an increased probability of being charged with drug sales over other types of offenses or drug possession charges.
Practical implications: This evidence suggests drug dependence was a preeminent factor in the likelihood arrestees were charged with drug possession. Criminal justice policies should prioritize dependence assessment and formulate individualized treatment plans to realize a significant reduction in the amount of possession cases processed through the system.
Originality/value: There have been many empirically underdeveloped arguments calling for the decriminalization of drug possession, but none have considered the importance of drug dependence as a preeminent reason why offenders receive possession charges. This research provides a clear and concise illustration of why drug dependence needs to be acknowledged in policy-oriented discussions focused on the criminalization of drug possession.
Design: Data were drawn from the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) II program which collected information from 10 cities across the U.S. between April 1 and September 30, 2010. The sample was comprised of male arrestees between the ages of 18-65 who reported past drug use (n = 2,193).
Findings: Multinomial logistic regression results indicated the odds of being arrested for drug possession compared to other types of offenses increased by 12% for each additional symptom of drug dependence reported by arrestees (RRR = 1.12, 95% C. I. = 1.06-1.19). In contrast, drug dependence did not predict an increased probability of being charged with drug sales over other types of offenses or drug possession charges.
Practical implications: This evidence suggests drug dependence was a preeminent factor in the likelihood arrestees were charged with drug possession. Criminal justice policies should prioritize dependence assessment and formulate individualized treatment plans to realize a significant reduction in the amount of possession cases processed through the system.
Originality/value: There have been many empirically underdeveloped arguments calling for the decriminalization of drug possession, but none have considered the importance of drug dependence as a preeminent reason why offenders receive possession charges. This research provides a clear and concise illustration of why drug dependence needs to be acknowledged in policy-oriented discussions focused on the criminalization of drug possession.
Affiliation :
Western Carolina University, USA