NEW NATIONAL STUDY LINKS CRIME RATES TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

CHARLOTTETOWN (CP) - A national study on substance abuse and crime in
Canada has confirmed what many have long suspected: booze and drugs fuel
criminal activity across the country.

Federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay released the results Tuesday of
a three-year, statistical study into the cause and effect of substance
abuse on Canadian crime rates. The study found that alcohol is more often
associated with violent crimes such as murder and assault, while illegal
drugs were more commonly linked to break-ins and robberies.

A majority of offenders, 54 per cent, told researchers they were under the
influence of either alcohol or drugs when they committed their most serious
crimes.

"This report provides a major insight into the relationship between crime
and substance abuse and will go a long way in determining how we approach
this important issue," MacAulay said.

The study, conducted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, is based on
interviews with roughly 10,000 male and female prisoners in provincial and
federal institutions. It includes those recently arrested, as well as
prisoners who have been in prison for several years.

While the results aren't news to people in the criminal justice system who
daily see the results of substance abuse in the courts, MacAulay said the
report provides hard, statistical data to confirm the influence of alcohol
and drugs.