Heroin crime

Ball J, Corty E, Bond H, et al The reduction of intravenous heroin use, non-opiate use and crime during methadone maintenance treatment further findings. NIDA Res Monogr 81 224-230, 1988a... 

There is a strong link between heroin use and crime. Research in the UK has investigated how problem users finance their heroin habit (Home Office Report, 1998). 

In the reviews cited in this chapter there is often some breakdown of findings into those relating to heroin use, criminality, HIV-risk behaviours, social rehabilitation and nonopiate abuse. We have noted that crime was one of the earliest indicators in methadone treatment, while the wider range of outcomes is formalized in drug misuse rating instruments such as the Opiate Treatment Index (Darke et al. 1992a). The main areas in which methadone treatment has been found to be of substantial benefit are indicated in Table 1.3. 

More medically dangerous than heroin Psychotic features common Various links with violent crime... 

Similarly, crime networks can be disrupted by identifying the weak links in a criminal commodity chain, or by targeting those actors whose skills are in relatively short supply. For example, in 2000/2001, Australian law enforcement was able to significantly disrupt local heroin trafficking networks by focusing on the relatively small number of brokers who brought together suppliers, financiers, skilled traffickers, and street distributors. This tack would be less successful where the skills needed to conduct the criminal activity, as well as the incentives to do so, are widespread. 

Inciardi, James. The War on Drugs II The Continuing Epic of Heroin, Cocaine, Crack, Crime, AIDS and Public Policy. Mountain View, CA Mayfield Publishing Company, 1991. 

Opioids (heroin) are frequently used in combination with cocaine (speedball) by persons generally involved in crime. Early death may occur as a result of their use. Heroin addicts acquire bacterial infections producing skin abscesses, pulmonary infections, endocarditis, viral hepatitis, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is a range of treatment options for heroin addiction, including medication and behavioral therapies. Methadone, a synthetic opiate medication, blocks the effects of heroin its results are encouraging. 

---