U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ADVANCE FOR RELEASE AT 4:30 P.M. EST BJS SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1998 202/307-0784 ALMOST HALF OF ALL PROBATIONERS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WHEN COMMITTING THEIR OFFENSE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Almost half of the men and women on probation in the United States were under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of their criminal offense, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported today. According to this first national survey of individuals on probation, which BJS conducted in 1995, half of all probationers said they had been involved in a domestic dispute while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs at some time in their lives. Asked if they had ever driven a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 64 percent of probationers said "yes." Thirty-five percent of all probationers responded "yes" when asked if they had ever consumed as much as a fifth of a gallon of alcohol in one day (equivalent to 20 drinks of liquor, three six-packs of beer or three bottles of wine). Forty percent of probationers were under the influence of alcohol when they committed their offense. More than 20 percent were on probation for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Violent offenders were the most likely to have used alcohol at the time of their offense (41 percent) and to report alcohol dependence (22 percent). Almost two-thirds of probationers who were under the influence of alcohol during their offense had received treatment for alcohol abuse while on probation. Almost 70 percent of all probationers reported past drug abuse, 32 percent said they were using drugs during the month of their offense and 14 percent were on drugs when they committed the offense for which they were sentenced. Almost half of all probationers said they had been tested for drug use while on their current probation sentence. This rose to 65 percent among those who had used drugs during the month before the offense and to 73 percent among those who said they committed their offense to obtain drug money. Among all probationers, 67 percent said they had used marijuana or hashish at least one time in their lives, 31 percent had used crack or other forms of cocaine, 25 percent had taken stimulants, 20 percent hallucinogens, 15 percent barbiturates and 8 percent heroin or other opiates. About 17 percent of all probationers reported participating in a drug treatment program during their sentence to probation, but these percentages rose as the severity of their prior drug use increased. Among those probationers who reported being under the influence of drugs when committing their offense, 53 percent said they participated in a drug treatment program. However, 30 percent had not been drug tested. The survey findings are based on personal interviews held in probation offices of a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 adults under active supervision. As of December 31, 1996, the most recent data available, there were almost 3.2 million adult U.S. residents on probation, compared to the more than 1.6 million adults who were incarcerated. Probationers are criminal offenders whom courts have sentenced to supervision in the community. Probation is generally imposed on offenders with few or no prior convictions or offenders convicted of less serious offenses. The special report, "Substance Abuse and Treatment of Adults on Probation, 1995" (NCJ-166611) was written by BJS policy analyst Christopher J. Mumola. Single copies may be obtained from the BJS fax-on-demand system by dialing 301/519-5550, listening to the menu, and selecting document number 102 or by calling the BJS Clearinghouse at 1-800/732-3277. BJS's home page address on the Internet is: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ Additional criminal justice materials can be obtained from the Office of Justice Programs homepage at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov # # # After hours contact: Stu Smith at 301/983-9354 (end of file)