Probationers and parolees were four to nine times more likely to have substance use disorders, including marijuana dependence, than people not under criminal justice supervision.
Read this if you want to understand how cannabis dependence intersects with the criminal justice system and why current approaches may not be working.
4-9x higher substance use disorder rates among probationers/parolees vs. general population
What the researchers found
Using national survey data from 2002 to 2014, researchers found that people on probation or parole had dramatically higher rates of substance use disorders across every category compared to the general population.
Marijuana abuse and dependence were significantly elevated in this group, though alcohol-related disorders were still two to six times more common than marijuana-related ones. These elevated rates remained remarkably stable over the entire 12-year study period, showing no signs of improvement despite evolving drug policies.
Key risk factors for substance disorders in this population included being younger, male, having lower education, lower income, higher risk-taking tendencies, and involvement in crime or violence.
Why it matters
This research highlights a persistent gap in how the criminal justice system addresses substance use. Despite decades of awareness, substance use disorder rates among supervised populations have barely changed, suggesting that current approaches to treatment within the justice system are falling short.
The numbers in context
Probationers and parolees had substance use disorder rates four to nine times higher than unsupervised peers. Alcohol abuse and dependence rates were two to six times higher than marijuana rates within the supervised population. Trends remained stable from 2002 to 2014.
How the study worked
The researchers analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a large nationally representative survey. They used logistic regression to examine eight distinct substance use disorder outcomes among probationers and parolees, controlling for demographic and behavioral variables.
What this study cannot tell us
The NSDUH relies on self-reported data, which may undercount substance use in a population that has strong incentives to minimize reporting. The cross-sectional design cannot determine whether criminal justice involvement precedes or follows substance use disorders.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative dataset with 12 years of trend data, but cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions.
When this study was published
Published in 2016 using data through 2014, before many state-level legalization changes that may have shifted these patterns.
The bigger picture
The stability of these rates over 12 years raises serious questions about whether the justice system is effectively connecting people to treatment. The authors argue that evidence-based programs like drug courts, which have demonstrated reductions in both drug use and recidivism, deserve more investment over punitive approaches.
Questions still open
- Why have substance use disorder rates in this population remained flat for over a decade despite policy changes? Would expanded access to drug courts and treatment programs meaningfully reduce these rates?
Common questions
How common is marijuana dependence among people on probation or parole?
Has the situation improved over time?
Read the original research
Trends and correlates of substance use disorders among probationers and parolees in the United States 2002-2014.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 167, 128-39
Citation
Fearn, Noelle E; Vaughn, Michael G; Nelson, Erik J; Salas-Wright, Christopher P; DeLisi, Matt; Qian, Zhengmin. (2016). Trends and correlates of substance use disorders among probationers and parolees in the United States 2002-2014.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 167, 128-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.08.003
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