Risk to Social Order and Public Safety Drug-Addicted Offenders
A substantial portion of offenders entering the criminal justice system in Virginia in FY01 have substance abuse problems. Of the 43.6% of adult felons referred for substance abuse screening, 93% were found to be in need of treatment services beyond substance abuse education.
Untreated addicts were found to commit an average of 63 predatory crimes in the year before sentencing
The link between drug addiction and crime is significant. At least half of adults arrested for major crimes test positive for drugs at time of their arrest.
Sources: Virginia Interagency Substance Abuse Screening and Assessment Committee, 2002
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, 1999