The 3‐Metros Study of Drugs and Crime in South Africa: Findings and Policy Implications

TLDR

The study investigated recent drug use prevalence among police‑arrested individuals to examine the drug–crime nexus. Data were collected in August–September 2000 from 1,050 adult arrestees at eight police stations in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, using urinalysis for multiple drugs and a questionnaire on demographics, prior arrests, and offense details, and then analyzed by gender, age, race, location, and offense category. The study found that 45 % of arrestees tested positive for at least one drug—primarily cannabis and Mandrax—with higher rates in Cape Town, and that drug‑positive individuals were more likely to have prior arrests and to be charged with housebreaking or drug/alcohol offenses, leading to recommendations for area‑specific strategies, focus on young offenders, enhanced police training, and diversion to treatment.

Abstract

This study examined the drug–crime nexus by investigating the prevalence of recent drug use among persons arrested by the police. Data were gathered during August/September 2000 from 1050 adult arrestees in eight police stations in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg (South Africa). Measures included urinalysis results for cannabis, methaqualone (Mandrax), opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and benzodizepines, and a questionnaire designed to assess socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds of arrestees, history of prior arrests and imprisonment, current arrest information, profile of substance use, etc. Results of the study show high levels of drug use among arrestees, with 45% testing positive for at least one drug (mainly cannabis and Mandrax). A greater proportion of arrestees in Cape Town tested positive for drugs than in the other sites. Data were also analyzed in terms of gender, age, race, location (site and police station), and offense category. Persons arrested on charges of housebreaking or for drugs/alcohol offenses were particularly likely to test positive for drugs. Drug positive arrestees were more likely to have had a prior arrest. Among the conclusions of the study are that 1) strategies to reduce drug use and drug related crime must be area specific, 2) particular attention needs to focus on young offenders, 3) police need to be trained to recognize particular symptoms and to establish protocols on handling arrestees under the influence of drugs, and 4) diversion to treatment of drug using offenders deserves more consideration.