Journal of Criminology

Between June and September 1987 926 prisoners received into Perth metropolitan prisons were screened for alcohol and drug problems. A comprehensive interviewer administered questionnaire and other measures such as content analysis of medical and criminal records provided the data base. To enable a thorough analysis, and a comparison across record types, an eight point classification system was used. This system incorporated dimensions of “consumption”, “dependency”, “association with crime” and “self perception” for alcohol and drug use. The results suggest that a third of the sample consume “hazardous” amounts of alcohol. Only 6% of the sample were classified as current drug dependents. The results support previous research which indicates that alcohol abuse amongst offenders is a major problem. The groups that emerge as the main concerns are: Aboriginal alcohol abusers, alcohol abusers not concerned with their alcohol use, drunk drivers and women drug and alcohol abusers. The validity of the screening insruments is examined, a strategy for screening for drug and alcohol problems is susggested and the implications of the results for prevention and treatment interventions is discussed.