Drug offenders in Taiwan and the United States: A cross-cultural analysis

Using data collected from nationwide surveys of drug-using offenders in the United States and Taiwan, this article compares offender differences with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, childhood experiences, drug u se and treatment patterns, and criminal histories. The results suggest that the experiences of U.S. drug-using offenders are more complex, with multip le routes and consequences of drug use, while the social constructionist vi ew is more appropriate to explain the experience of Taiwanese drug-using of fenders. Overall, U.S. drug-using. offenders reported earlier drug and crim inal involvement, experienced more prior arrests, and committed more non-dr ug-related crimes. Family problems were more prevalent among U.S. drug-usin g offenders than Taiwanese drug-using offenders. Drug-using offenders in th e U.S. also reported using a variety of different drugs and participating i n multiple treatment programs. The major agents supplying illicit drugs wer e known dealers, and friends or acquaintances of U.S. and Taiwanese drug-us ing offenders, respectively. The article concludes that to effectively elim inate the problem of drug misuse, the Taiwanese government should focus on treatment instead of imprisonment, while the U.S. should target troubled te ens and families.