Alternative sanctions for drug users: fruitless efforts or miracle solution?

In most Western European countries, including Belgium, judicial alternative sanctions are increasingly being used for drug users. Because no study into the effectiveness of Belgian judicial alternatives for drug users has yet been carried out, this became the objective of the current research. The d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wree, Eveline (Author)
Contributors: Pauwels, Lieven (Other) ; Colman, Charlotte (Other) ; Ruyver, Brice (Other)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2009
In:In: Crime, Law and Social Change 52(2009), 5, Seite 513-525
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
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Summary:In most Western European countries, including Belgium, judicial alternative sanctions are increasingly being used for drug users. Because no study into the effectiveness of Belgian judicial alternatives for drug users has yet been carried out, this became the objective of the current research. The design of this study comprises a pre and post measurement of the criminal activity, drug use and situation in different spheres of life of 565 drug-dependent offenders. Two conclusions can be drawn. First, after an alternative sanction or measure is imposed, there is a reduction in the criminal activity of the offender. Second, this crime reduction goes hand in hand with a progress in several relevant life spheres.
DOI:10.1007/s10611-009-9206-0