Evaluation of the relationships between crime and punishment with sociodemographic and clinical features of individuals on probation due to substance use

Substance use refers to the use of an illegal substance or the use of a legal substance in a harmful way. The prevalence of substance use and related disorders is ever-increasing in our country and in the world. Although substance use in Turkey is lower than in western countries, legislative regulations were put into force due to a heavy increase in individual and social issues related to substance use in our country. In this regard, the field and limits of the application were determined by law and probation system is implemented as an alternative method to the prison sentence to keep individuals in control, to monitor and to regenerate them. The aim of this study is to examine the sociodemographic and clinical features and the relationships between crime and punishment of individuals who were passed precautionary probation and treatment, to evaluate the results of the application and the adaptation of the participants to the system and to determine other psychopathologies accompanying them. In this research, 145 individuals who applied to the department of probation in Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital between the dates of 15.10.2017 and 01.03.2018 were prospectively investigated in terms of their sociodemography, substance use, forensic medical features, and the existent additional psychiatric diagnosis after informing them and receiving their verbal and written consent. 142 of the cases (97.9%) were men and 3 of the cases (2.1%) were women. The participant ages were in between 18 and 56, and the mean age was determined to be 27.21 ± 6.77. The majority of the participant ages were observed to be in between 18 and 30 year young adult age group with 103 cases (71.0%). It was seen that 70.3% of the individuals (n = 102) were primary school graduates and below. Multiple substance use histories were determined in 86 of the cases (59.3%) and single substance use histories were determined in 51 of the cases (35.2%). Cannabis was determined to be the most used substance (94.9%) in cases with substancerst use of use1. It was observed that the ages between 16 and 20 are the most common ages (47. histories (n = 137). The fithe substance ranged from 12 to 35 years and the mean age was determined to be 19.72 ± 5.34%) to start substance use. In the urine analyses of participants for sted of primary school graduates and below, a conclusion to prevent substance use was reached; to inform individuals starting from primary education (ranging from 6 to 14 year-olds) and to increase social awareness about substance use. In addition, it was observed that individuals with low levels of education committed crimes in more frequent incidences. Both of the programs that are applied to individuals who apply to the hospital in thetoxic substances that were performed in pursuance of probation decision, 77.6% of the cases (n = 111) came out negative, which means that no toxic substances were found, 23.4% of the cases (n = 34) came out positive, which means that at least one toxic substance was found. Due to the fact that the majority of the cases (70.3%) consi framework of probation caution were determined to be successful in similar ratios and the programs were determined to continue efficiently. Finally, it was concluded that the detailed evaluation of individuals with multiple substance use histories in terms of additional psychiatric symptoms and diseases will contribute positively to the treatment process. Keywords: Substance Use, Probation, Sociodemographic Features, Crime, Cannabis