The Relationship Between Substance Use (Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis) and Convicted Offenders

Abstract

Substance use has been identified as a key factor influencing criminal behavior and offender-related vulnerabilities. This study examined the relationship between tobacco, alcohol, cannabis use and offender risk among 200 convicted offenders in India. Participants were categorized into lower-risk and moderate-risk groups for each substance, and offender-related vulnerabilities were measured using the Offender Screening Tool (OST). Results indicated that moderate-risk users of all three substances exhibited significantly higher OST scores compared to lower-risk users, with alcohol showing the strongest association, followed by cannabis and tobacco. These findings suggest that elevated substance use contributes to higher criminogenic risk, emphasizing the importance of integrating substance use assessment and intervention into offender rehabilitation programs. Incorporating targeted substance use management may reduce offender vulnerability and support more effective rehabilitation and prevent recidivism.