Studies and reports:
Although it is declining, North America is the leader in the Cocaine drug trade
Binge Drinking and Good
Memory are not Compatible
In the Last Decade,
Drug Abuse has Increased
in Canada
The Social Cost of
Substance Abuse in
Canada (A few figures)
| Alcohol, drugs and violence | |
We often have the impression that the violence we see in our streets is directly related to drug use. We often have the impression that the violence we see in our streets is directly related to drug use. The relationship seems complex. Alcohol and violence When we associate violence and drugs, we think of PCP, crack, amphetamines, cocaine or LSD users. But admittedly, it is alcohol that is associated the most to violent behaviour (Goldstein, 1998; Roth, 1994). Studies have clearly shown that alcohol use precedes or accompanies 50% of violent crimes such as sexual assault, assaults, homicides and family violence (Collins & Messerschmidt, 1993; Roth, 1994; Tremblay, 1999). A Canadian study conducted with over 8,598 prisoners in federal penitentiaries, shows that 25% of the inmates had experienced drinking alcohol the day of their offense. 
Alcohol was used for most inmates condemned for violent crimes Percentage wise we can compare those convicted of these crimes who had used illicit drugs in the course of the day when they had committed these violent crimes. Thus, illicit drugs was consumed by 31% of inmates convicted of assault, 29% of those convicted of attempted murder, 27% in homicides and 14% of inmates convicted of sexual assault. This data indicates that the use of alcohol is more prevelent in these violent crimes than illicit drugs were. Intoxication brings about cognitive troubles which is a factor in an intoxicated person's reaction towards confrontation and the general environment (Shepherd & Brickley, 1996). The consequences of their actions do not matter. However, caution should be exercised before attributing these crimes to alcohol use. Thus, the fact that 50% of inmates saying that they had used alcohol in the course of the day they committed murder can just be a normal use of alcohol in their life and not an exceptional situation that drove them to murder (Collins & Schlenger, 1988). A more exhaustive studies would be required. Illicit Drugs and Violence Goldstein (1985) is an author who provides a definition of drug-related violence with his tripartite model. Thus, according to Goldstein (1985), drugs and violence can be associated in three ways: psychopharmacological, economic-compulsive and systemical. 
A result of intoxication or long-time habit of use of certain drugs, may become excitable, irrational and aggressive After becoming intoxicated with a certain drug some people are at risk of becoming irrational, excited and aggressive (Goldstein, 1985). The psychopharmacological relationship implies that people, as a result of intoxication or long-time habit of use of certain drugs, may become excitable, irrational and aggressive (Goldstein, 1985). This relationship is based, among others things, on research showing that inmates have a high prevalence of drug use. 2) economic-compulsive relationship The aggressiveness of users is not necessarily caused by an impulse to act violently. In many cases, the urgent need for money to get more drugs will lead to crime. This model is based on studies conducted with detainees. Forget (1990). 3) Systemical relationship While the trade of alcohol or pharmaceutical drugs are protected by laws, illegal drugs are traded without protections. The very nature of the illegal drug market and the enormous profit available, promote the use of violence: clashes between rival distributors, warnings to employees to ensure their obedience, robberies between sellers and buyers, debt recovery, protection rackets ... (Erickson & al., 1997; Roth, 1994). In Canada, an estimated 12% of homicides, in which circumstances were known, were linked to drug cases (Tremblay, 1999). Several things influence systemic violence: fluctuation in the drug market; difficulties accessing alternative economic levels; weak monitoring or control; inadequacy of authorities that be, social disorganization; self-selection of participants in the drug market and the ongoing violence in the neighborhood (Collins, 1990; Roth, 1994; Sommers & Baskin, 1997). Consequently, one can believe that the drug market does not make people violent, but rather that this market supports an already existing violent environment. After his studies, Goldstein (1998) concluded that the more prevalent type of violence is sytemic violence. In North America, systemic violence, initially mainly related to heroin heroin trade is now mainly associated with the trade of cocaine and crack. The psychopharmacologic violence is closely behind. However Goldstein (1998) indicates that between 75 to 95% of the violence comes from the use of alcohol and not illegal drugs. Generally, this violence occurs within the family unit, in bars or in parks. Conclusion 
All in all, psychoactive substances and violence are clearly associated. But the relationship is complex. According to Erickson (1998), current policies cause the most drug-related violence because violence is most often associated with illicit trade. Systemic violence is usually seen in poor neighborhoods where there are high concentrations of marginalized drug addicts. To obtain a good concept of the relationship between drugs and violence, it is necessary to look at the social and economical environment, the context in which the person obtains and uses his drugs and the criminal, health and social policies that are involved (Erickson, 1998; Goldstein, 1990; Roth, 1994). To sum it up, psychoactive substances and violence have a clear association. Not only are they linked, but the relationship is complex. A review of available scientific literature indicates that the impact of psychopharmacological effects of psychoactive substances is clearly an exaggeration. When the effect of a drug is involved in violence during intoxication, it is usually a drug that one obtains on the legal market. In fact, the data coming from a large survey of federal inmates indicate that offenders convicted of a violent crime are less likely, than others inmates, to have used drugs a day prior to their crime (Brochu & al ., in press). Moreover, consumers of illicit drugs, specifically drug addicts, are more likely to commit lucrative offenses than violent crimes. According to Erickson (1998), it is our current policies that result in more violence as drug-related violence is more often than not, associated with the illegal distribution system. source : revue L’intervenant vol 16 no 3 La violence et la drogue Serge Brochu, P h . D . Professeur titulaire, École de criminologie Directeur, Centre international de criminologie comparée |
