THE ISSUE OF DRUGS AND CRIME AMONG A SAMPLE OF INCARCERATED WOMEN

Based on a sample of incarcerated women in Quebec prisons in 1989, thi s study focuses on drug use and abuse and its relation to crime with a special concern for age of onset, nature of conviction, previous invo lvement in criminal activities, motivation, and other related variable s. The emerging profile of these subjects is one of drug-related probl ems rather than a deep involvement in criminality. Within this populat ion of women prisoners a strong link between drugs and crime is still difficult to establish. In conclusion, it is suggested that future res earch rely more on qualitative analyses to gather a better understandi ng of the operating processes.