Drugs/Crime Link Pervasive, Study Finds
“It is no coincidence that of the 2.3 million inmates in U.S. prisons, 65 percent–1.5 million–meet the DSM-IV medical criteria for alcohol or other drug abuse and addiction. Another 20 percent–458,000–even though they don’t meet the DSM-IV medical criteria for alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction nevertheless were substance involved; i.e., were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of their offense, stole money to buy drugs, are substance abusers, violated the alcohol or drug laws, or share some combination of these characteristics.”

Behind Bars:  Substance Abuse and America’s Prison Population, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.  February, 2010.

FULL REPORT.