A review of the literature on the effect of methamphetamine use on violent behaviour
NDARC Staff
Rebecca McKetin, Steven Riddell, Lisa Robins and Jennifer McLaren
Other Investigators
Conducted in collaboration with the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)
Aims
The project assessed whether there was any evidence that rising methamphetamine use had contributed to a rise in assaults in NSW over the past decade. Specifically, this project examined:
- whether there had been an increase in methamphetamine use in NSW and Australia during the past 5 years
- what evidence, if any, is there that methamphetamine use increases the risk of violent behaviour?
- in what circumstances, if any, are these effects observed?
- what evidence, if any, is there that the growth in methamphetamine use has contributed to the upward trend in assaults in NSW over the last five years?
- what research/monitoring needs to be undertaken to improve our understanding of the impact that methamphetamine use has on (a) individual violent behaviour, and (b) aggregate rates of assault?
Design and Method
The first stage of this research involved reviewing the literature and existing data on methamphetamine use trends in Australia and the relationship between methamphetamine use and violent crime. The second stage of the research involved analysing assault and methamphetamine arrest data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
Benefits
This research has given us a better understanding of the relationship between methamphetamine use and violent behaviour, particularly in light of the vast media coverage the methamphetamine issue has received in the past 12 months.
Output
A publication has been completed and is available on the
BOCSAR website:
McKetin, R., McLaren, J., Riddell, S. & Robins, L. (2006a). The relationship between methamphetamine use and violent behaviour.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Crime and Justice Bulletin No. 97. August 2006. NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sydney.
A
press release on the results was issued in October 2006 and received wide media coverage.
Funding
Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy, NSW Health