Titre : | The association between drug dependence and drug possession charges (2014) |
Auteurs : | A. M. KOPAK ; N. G. HOFFMANN |
Type de document : | Article : Périodique |
Dans : | Drugs and Alcohol Today (Vol.14, n°2, 2014) |
Article en page(s) : | 87-95 |
Langues: | Anglais |
Discipline : | SHS (Sciences humaines et sociales / Humanities and social sciences) |
Mots-clés : |
Thésaurus géographique ETATS-UNISThésaurus 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. |
Domaine : | Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs |
Affiliation : | Western Carolina University, USA |
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