Differentiation between opiate addicts in relation to judicial problems

Some research results point to significant benefit in the use of methadone substitution treatment in reduction of criminogenic activities in opiate addicts, as in positive affect on their somatic and mental state.

The objective of the study was to indicate factors which lead to criminogenic activities in addicts with judicial problems before entering substitute, methadone program.

Addicts were divided into two groups: addicts who had judicial problems before they entered substitution methadone program (group A-46 addicts) and addicts withoutjudicial problems (group B-20 addicts). A questionnaire containing basic data about the addicts in the treatment program (Pompidou questionnaire) was for questioning.

A statistically significant difference was recorded related to the way of taking PAS. The largest number of examinees from the group A took primal PAS intravenously (41; 89.1%), while from the group B 11 took it intravenously (55.0%). The majority of examinees in the group A committed the first criminal act before taking PAS (psychoactive substances) (19; 41.3%), then after taking so-called harder PAS (16; 34.8%), and finally after taking the so-called lighter PAS (11; 23.9%). In somewhat over half of the examinees in the group A (24; 52.2%) the measure of juvenile court was imposed. A suspended sentence was passed upon 19 (41.3%) examinee, then prison sentence in 16 (34.8%), multiple prison sentences in 6 (13.0%) and misdemeanour in 4 (8.7%).

Future research at our centre should show the efficiency of methadone program in a decrease of risky behaviour, degree of criminogenic activity and judicial problems, improvement of life quality, as well as show the ways for preventive acting.