ABSTRACT
A number of research studies support a relationship between crimes perpetrated by women and substance use (e.g., Abram, 1989; Modestin & Ammann, 1995; Moon, Thompson, & Bennett, 1993; Russell, 1993). However, the nature of this complex relationship is incompletely understood (see Figure 7-1) and gives rise to several rudimentary questions (Abram, 1989; Bradford, Greenberg, & Motayne, 1992). For example, in regard to women: Does substance use contribute to crime?; Does crime contribute to substance use?; What part do other variables (e.g., antisocial personality) play in the relationship between substance use and crime?; Are certain types of crime more strongly related to substance use (e.g., violent versus nonviolent crime)?; Is the use of certain substances of abuse more strongly related to crime? This chapter attempts to address these and other related questions. The general nature of the relationship between substance use by women and violent and nonviolent crime is considered first. This overview is followed by a discussion of pharmacopsychologic-related crime and concludes with a brief discussion of domestic violence perpetrated by women.
