Methamphetamine use and acquisitve crime: Evidence of a relatonship

Abstract

Methamphetamine use among Australian police detainees is rising; the impact of this rise on crime trends, and partcularly on trends in acquisitve crime, is yet to be established. Identfying trends in and motvatons for offending among methamphetamine users may assist law enforcement and policymakers to beter target resources. This paper examines the engagement in acquisitve crime, and perceived motvatons for methamphetamine-driven crime, of a sample of Australian police detainees recruited in 2013 through the Drug Use Monitoring in Australia program. Methamphetamine users reported deriving a significantly higher proporton of their income from crime than non-users. Logistc regression analysis reveals the use of methamphetamine, heroin and/or cannabis predicts engagement in acquisitve crime when other drug use and polydrug use is controlled for. In additon, methamphetamine users reported their use played a contributng role in their offending, most commonly through intoxicaton or the need for money to purchase drugs.