Examining the Link between Drug Use Disorders and Crime among Chinese Drug Users Receiving Mandatory Detoxification and Treatment

Abstract

Prior research has generated inconsistent results about the relationship between drug use and crime. To improve on previous research, this study focuses on drug use disorders as a predictor of crime and offending behavior specifically related to drug use to measure the potential impact of drug abuse and dependence. Through the analysis of data collected from 930 male and female drug users receiving mandatory treatment in two drug detoxification centers in China, the current study finds that drug use disorders significantly predict drug-related crime. The results provide an empirical validation of the findings from the West that drug use disorders and crime are positively related.