Victimization of the Drug Addict

Laura Marinha Nunes, Ana Isabel Sani 
(Human and Social Sciences Department, Fernando Pessoa University, Oporto, Portugal)

Abstract: Several analyses on the drug-crime link have focused primarily on drug addicts as potential offenders. However, situations in which the addict is also a crime victim are not so rare, and recent analyses convey the need for more research and examination of the victimization of drug addicts as a phenomenon. In this article, we explain the potential reasons why drug addicts are so vulnerable to victimization situations, and why there are no registers of these occurrences. Then, we review some models and theories about drug addiction, criminal behaviors and victimization, in order to construct an integrative approach that allows a deeper understanding of the drug addict victimization.

Key words: drug addict, victimization, drug-crime link