Citation

Jarvis G, Parker H. Br. J. Criminol. 1989; 29(2): 175-185.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines the drugs-crime connection in relation to the new' heroin users of the 1980s. An analysis of the criminal records of a sample of forty-six London-based heroin users shows that their annual rate of convictions more than doubled following the onset of regular heroin use. During in-depth interviews, the subjects reported financing their habits largely through acquisitive crime'. Week-by-week analysis of their self-reported crime and drug use over a six-month period also revealed a close relationship. The personal and social characteristics of the now greatly expanded population of new' heroin users clearly warrants a reconsideration of penal and treatment policies.