A survey of alcohol and drug problems in incarcerated offenders

It has been well documented in American studies that the use of alcohol and drugs is highly related to crime. Similar descriptive data for Canadian offenders are lacking, hampering the systematic development of treatment programs. Two hundred and seventy-five Canadian Federal Penitentiary inmates from 9 institutions participated in a 3-hour assessment consisting of a structured interview and a batter of self-report tests to determine key social and demographic characteristics; type, frequency, and extent of substance use prior to incarceration; previous treatment for substance abuse; criminal history; and perceived relationship of criminal behavior to substance use. The results indicate high preincarceration daily intake of alcohol, moderate levels of alcohol dependence, and frequent attribution of severe psychosocial problems related to substance use combined with low frequencies of treatment involvement. Implications of this research for treatment programming are discussed.