Substance abuse and criminality

Substance abuse issues and the law have become intricately linked over the years. This article reviews the current research underlying the association between substance abuse and crime, and provides an overview of the pertine nt issues in conducting a substance abuse evaluation in the forensic contex t. The epidemiology of substance abuse and crime is reviewed, exploring the association between crime and specific psychoactive substances. Clinical c onsiderations underlying the association are discussed, with specific atten tion paid to the pharmacological effects of psychoactive substances and to the role of substance use in individuals with serious associated psychopath ology. Diagnostic and etiological issues that are important in differentiat ing substance abuse from criminality are considered in the context of condu cting forensic evaluations. Finally, key components of a forensic substance abuse evaluation are presented.