BOOZE, DRUGS FUELLING CRIME, REPORT FINDS

Most Violent Offenders Say They Were Drunk, High During Crimes

Charlottetown - A national study on substance abuse and crime in Canada has
confirmed what many have long suspected: that booze and drugs fuel criminal
activity across the country.

Federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay released the results Tuesday of
a three-year study into the cause and effect of substance abuse on Canadian
crime rates.

The study found that alcohol is more often associated with violent crimes
such as murder and assault, while illegal drugs are more commonly linked to
break-ins and robberies.

"This report tells us two main things," MacAulay said.

"It tells us that drugs and alcohol cause crime - they aren't just related
- - and that the cost of this abuse on Canadians is high."

The study, conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, an
arm's-length federal agency, is based on interviews with roughly 10,000
male and female prisoners in provincial and federal institutions.

It includes the recently arrested, as well as prisoners who have been
incarcerated for several years.

A majority of offenders, 54 per cent, told researchers they were under the
influence of either alcohol or drugs when they committed their most serious
crimes.

Michel Perron, head of the Ottawa-based substance abuse centre, said the
study establishes a clear, causal link between drinking too much, using
illegal drugs and breaking the law.

"It confirms for many people in the field of addictions what we've known
all along: that the nexus between alcohol, drugs and crime is very strong.
This is a huge factor contributing to crime in Canada."

He said between 40 to 50 per cent of all crimes examined in the study,
ranging from murder to shoplifting, can be attributed to either drugs or
alcohol.

"Between 10 and 15 per cent of these crimes are linked to illicit drugs; 15
and 20 per cent to alcohol only; and 10 and 20 per cent can be attributed
to a combination of alcohol and illicit drugs," Perron said.

"This is very important in the sense of what it means to our criminal
justice system and to the health and safety of Canadians."

MacAulay wasn't surprised by the high numbers. He said he was already aware
that seven out of every 10 people in federal institutions have addiction
problems.

"People commit crime to support their habit," he said. "They either want a
fix or alcohol. There's nothing more horrible. That is why they commit the
crime."

But MacAulay didn't have any quick fixes for the problem.

He made no announcements as he released the report's findings, promising
only that the statistical data would be used in developing future policies
and programs.

The report underlined the fact that the best opportunity for treating
substance abusers is while they are jailed in provincial or federal
institutions.

Perron said today's prisons are increasingly becoming treatment and
rehabilitation centres for dangerous addicts.