FUELING VIOLENCE

Booze and Drugs Role in Crime Points to Need for Social Intervention - Agencies

A national study that suggests booze and drugs fuel violent crime is just
another reason for introducing more prevention programs, say addictions
experts.

"One of the implications of the study for AADAC and other agencies is the
need to address addictions," said Ed Sawka, director of research services
at the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

But Sawka added, a solution to the problem could be found further
"upstream," through early intervention or prevention programs.

Federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay released results of the
three-year, $250,000 study yesterday.

It was conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, an arm's-length
federal agency.

The study was based on interviews with 10,000 male and female prisoners in
provincial and federal institutions. Those interviewed including those
recently arrested and prisoners incarcerated for several years.

The study found 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.

About 54% of offenders told researchers they were under the influence of
either alcohol or drugs when they committed their most serious crimes.

That, says Christine Leonard, executive director of the John Howard Society
of Alberta, is proof enough for the government to start emphasizing early
intervention and prevention programs.

"Once someone is in (prison), it's too late," she said.

She said her group has always believed there's a correlation between
alcohol, drugs and crime.

Alliance MP Peter Goldring, who represents Edmonton Centre East, said the
report didn't reveal anything new to him.

"It's really a three-year non-report," Goldring said from his Ottawa office.

"It's kind of like saying heavy drinking will cause a hangover."

He said drug laws need to be toughened and "soft drugs" shouldn't be
de-criminalized.

Goldring said money spent on the report could have been spent on hiring
guards to ensure drugs and alcohol don't make their way into the prison system.