Getting by with a little help from your friends - The impact of peer networks on criminality in a cohort of treatment-seeking drug users

D Best; R Hernando; M Gossop; C Sidwell; J Strang

doi:10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00254-4

Getting by with a little help from your friends - The impact of peer networks on criminality in a cohort of treatment-seeking drug users

D Best, R Hernando, M Gossop, C Sidwell, J Strang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates the links between social networks of drug users and criminal activity. Opiate misusers (n = 128) receiving in-patient treatment were interviewed about substance use, social networks, and crime in the month before treatment. Almost 60% of participants reported an average of more than 70 crimes each. Less than one-fifth of the subjects spent no time with other users, while just over half spent either "quite a lot" or "a lot" of time with drug users. Time with users increased the risk of crime. Spending no time with users provided a protective effect. Time with criminally involved drug users was associated with greater levels of crime. Social networks represent an important marker for integration in criminal networks in treatment-seeking drug users and a long-term barrier to rehabilitation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	597 - 603
Number of pages	7
Journal	Addictive Behaviors
Volume	28
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00254-4
Publication status	Published - Apr 2003

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Getting by with a little help from your friends - The impact of peer networks on criminality in a cohort of treatment-seeking drug users

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