Trends in crime and the introduction of a needle exchange program

M.A. Marx, B. Crape, R.S. Brookmeyer, B. Junge, C. Latkin, D. Vlahov and S.A. Strathdee

American Journal of Public Health, 2000, vol. 90, issue 12, 1933-1936

Abstract: Objectives. This study sought to determine whether introduction of a needle exchange program would be associated with increased crime rates. Methods. Trends in arrests were compared in program and nonprogram areas before and after introduction of a needle exchange program in Baltimore. Trends were modeled and compared via Poisson regression. Results. No significant differences in arrest trends emerged. Over the study period, increases in category-specific arrests in program and nonprogram areas, respectively, were as follows: drug possession, 17.7% and 13.4%; economically motivated offenses, 0.0% and 20.7%; resistance to police authority, 0.0% and 5.3%; and violent offenses, 7.2% and 8.0%. Conclusions. The lack of association of overall and type-specific arrest data with program implementation argues against the role of needle exchange programs in increasing crime rates.

Date: 2000
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:12:1933-1936_3

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