Antisocial Behaviour Among Young Australians While Under the Influence of Illicit Drugs

Date01 August 2003
DOI10.1375/acri.36.2.211
Published date01 August 2003
211
THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY
VOLUME 36 NUMBER 2 2003 PP.211–222
Address for correspondence: Ian McAllister, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian
National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Email: ian.mcallister@anu.edu.au
Antisocial Behaviour Among Young
Australians While Under the Influence
of Illicit Drugs
Ian McAllister
Australian National University,Australia
Toni Makkai
Australian Institute of Criminology,Australia
W
hile the link between illicit drug use and criminal behaviour is
frequently noted, comparatively little is known about which drugs are
most likely to shape this behaviour, and about the role of early initiation into
drug use. This study uses a large, national population survey to examine
these relationships, focusing on adolescents and young adults who report
illicit drug use.The results show that about one in 10 young Australians had
engaged in some form of antisocial behaviour in the previous 12 months
following drug use, and that such behaviour peaked at almost one in five
males at the age of 19 years.Antisocial behaviour while under the influence
of drugs is closely associated with the use of marijuana, amphetamines and
inhalants. Age of initiation was relatively unimportant in predicting this
antisocial behaviour, with the exception of the early use of marijuana.
Overall, the results confirm the importance of delaying marijuana use for as
long as possible in order to reduce these behaviours.
The apparent link between illicit drug use and various types of criminal behaviour1
is well-established in the criminological and drug literatures. Those who use illicit
drugs are more likely to engage in criminal activity, particularly property crime and
assault (Makkai & McGregor, 2001; Makkai, 1999; Stevenson & Forsythe, 1998);
to engage in as well as to be the victims of physical and sexual assault (Slaughter,
2000; Martin et al., 1999; Windle, 1994); and to carry weapons, particularly knives
(Dukarm, 1996; Lowry et al., 1999; McKeganey & Norrie, 2000). Moreover, in
contrast to other forms of criminal behaviour, among illicit drugs users there are
relatively few differences between males and females in these patterns (Dukarm,
1996; Vanderschmidt, 1994). For those who are heavily involved in such
behaviour2, persistent illicit drug use is strongly associated with continuing high
risk behaviour, regardless of age (Dembo et al., 1991).
Crim36.2text.FINAL 17/12/03 4:29 PM Page 211

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