The Role of Alcohol in the Crimes of Active Heroin Users

Abstract

Fifty-nine active heroin users were recruited from the streets of northern Manhattan and were interviewed about the nondrug related crimes they had committed in the previous 36 hours. Information was also obtained about their drug and alcohol use before and after committing these crimes. Intensive interviews were conducted with eleven heavy-drinking, heroin-using criminals about the role of alcohol in crime. Subjects were more likely to report being under the influence of alcohol when they committed a crime than any other drug. They reported drinking alcohol before the crime to calm their nerves, to give them heart, and to aid involvement in crime. Criminal income was used to purchase alcohol more frequently than other drugs.