期刊名称：Drustvena istrazivanja. Journal for General Social Issues
印刷版ISSN：1330-0288
出版年度：2002
卷号：11
期号：2-3 (58-59)
页码：353-377
出版社：Institute of Social Sciences IVO PILAR
摘要：The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the abuse of drugs and involvement in criminal behaviour. The research was conducted on 1102 persons who registered for treatment for the first time at the Centre for Outpatient Treatment of Addictions in the Sisters of Mercy University Hospital. A questionnaire in the form of an interview was applied with the basic information on the addicts in the treatment programme including data on drug abuse, criminal behaviour and sociodemographic characteristics of the examinees and their families. The results were separately analysed for the men and women examinees. In the sample of men statistically significant differences were obtained with regard to drug abuse and involvement in criminal behaviour: more persons commit their first criminal act after having started taking drugs; examinees consuming heavier drugs (opiates and stimulants) commit more serious criminal acts, while persons consuming drugs for longer periods of time commit more serious criminal acts and more often engage in criminal activity. In women examinees significant differences regarding drug abuse and involvement in criminal behaviour were not obtained. Stepwise regression analysis uncovered six important predictors of criminal behaviour in men: the examinee's level of education, length of drug consumption, family's financial status, consumption of light or heavy drugs, examinee's age and mother's level of education. None of the variables proved statistically significant in explaining the criminal behaviour of women. The results of research contribute to the understanding of the relationship between criminal behaviour and drug abuse and can be of assistance in creating and implementing the programme for the prevention of drug addiction and criminal activity.
