Suchergebnisse

During the 1980s and early 1990s Switzerland experienced a serious drug problem, highlighted by the famous needle‐parks in major cities. As a response to this problem and in order to prevent mere displacement of addicts to other urban areas, the Federal Government decided, in 1992, to expand substantially methadone programmes and to try new substitution programmes with opiates. Currently, about 800 seriously addicted persons regularly receive heroin. This research note summarises preliminary results concerning the effects of this programme on delinquency among treated addicts. Interview data on victimisation and self‐reported delinquency suggest substantial drops in criminal involvement. It remains to be seen to what extent this change could reduce the drug‐crime‐link and, indirectly, urban crime rates.