Pubdate: Wed, 01 May 2002
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Chris Morris, The Canadian Press

NARCOTICS FUEL CRIMINALITY, STUDY CONFIRMS

Half Of Offenders Tell Researchers They Were Drunk Or High At Time Of Crime

CHARLOTTETOWN (CP) -- A national study on substance abuse and crime in 
Canada has confirmed what many have long suspected: booze and drugs fuel 
criminal activity across the country.

Federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay released the results Tuesday of 
a three-year, statistical study into the cause and effect of substance 
abuse on Canadian crime rates.

The study found that alcohol is more often associated with violent crimes 
such as murder and assault, while illegal drugs were more commonly linked 
to break-ins and robberies.

A majority of offenders, 54 per cent, told researchers they were under the 
influence of either alcohol or drugs when they committed their most serious 
crimes.

"This report provides a major insight into the relationship between crime 
and substance abuse and will go a long way in determining how we approach 
this important issue," MacAulay said.

The study, conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, is based on 
interviews with roughly 10,000 male and female prisoners in provincial and 
federal institutions. It includes those recently arrested, as well as 
prisoners who have been in prison for several years.

While the results aren't news to people in the criminal justice system who 
daily see the results of substance abuse in the courts, MacAulay said the 
report provides hard, statistical data to confirm the influence of alcohol 
and drugs.
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