TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1978//
TI  - Do drug offences matter?
JO  - British medical journal: BMJ
A1  - Gordon, A. M.
SP  - 185
EP  - 186
VL  - 2
IS  - 6131
N2  - Drug offences in addicts are often thought to indicate little more than continued dependency. In a four-year follow-up study of 60 men attending a drug clinic a history of repeated convictions for drug offences was found to be strongly related to patterns of delinquency. The following variables were associated with a history of repeated drug offences: a higher conviction rate for "non-drug" offences; younger age at first conviction; conviction preceding drug use; convictions for offences of sex and violence; longer prison sentences; and regular narcotic use and continued dependency at follow-up. Receiving a clinic prescription was not associated with a lower incidence of drug offences. Repeated drug offences identified a subgroup of drug users who were characterised by extensive sociopathic behaviour. Such offences should not be dismissed as an unavoidable, unimportant part of addiction.<p /> <p>Language: en</p> 
LA  - en
SN  - 0959-8138
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -