The Drug Addict as a Victim: A Link to Explore

INTRODUCTIONVictimization is a phenomenon that appears in different settings and includes several dimensions, which themselves also differ according to the type of victim and their specificities. Certain populations have heightened vulnerability, which increases their exposure to the experience of victimization situations. Among these population types, we can also mention those who tend to engage in criminal behaviors but at the same time present characteristics which render them susceptible to victimization. We are talking here about the drug addict, who often has two roles: on the one hand s/he may commit illegal and violent actions, and on the other, s/he may also be the victim of crime and violence.Drug addiction is one of those behaviors that is related to crime and can at the same time lead to victimization experiences. Several studies (Brochu 2006; Nunes 2011a; Seddon 2006) have been developed with the purpose of examining the link between drug addiction and criminal behavior. Today this drug-crime link is considered unquestionable, although it is also well known that there is no causal relationship between those two behaviors (Bean 2014). However, it is also understood that the victimization of drug addicts often occurs, and there are not enough studies dedicated to this different mode of connection between drugs and crime. Following this, some authors (MacCoun, Kilmer and Reuter 2003) have stressed the need to study the drug addict, not just because there is a link with criminal behavior, but also considering the victimization suffered by those individuals. It is important to study the victimization of those who, as drug users, are exposed to the violent drug markets, have a high-risk lifestyle, and are under the psychopharmacological effects of the drugs (Goldstein 1985). It is undeniable that these factors increase the vulnerability of this population. Over the last few years, a number of researchers (Goldstein 1985; MacCoun, Kilmer and Reuter 2003; Nunes 2011a; 2011b) have highlighted the urgency of studying drug addict victimization, but the reality is that this domain has received little attention.In this chapter, we will present some theoretical models regarding the drug-crime link, and explore some approaches to addiction-related violence, in order to explain why it is important to analyze this phenomenon. We will also highlight how these theoretical models are suitable for the possible explanation of the frequent victimization of the drug addict. We will go on to present briefly an integrated model of the drug addict's victimization (Nunes and Sani 2013), and explain the importance of developing modes of evaluation, through victimization surveys, specially designed for drug addicts (Nunes and Sani 2014). Broadly, the aim of this chapter is to understand victimization from the drug addict's perspective, and raise awareness of a problem that is rarely investigated and not covered by most drug addict support programs.1. DRUG ADDICTION AND VIOLENCE - A LIFESTYLE BASED IN DEVIANT ROUTINESThere is extensive evidence that drug abuse and violence are linked (Caridade and Nunes 2014), and there are analyses that support empirically the link between drug abuse and criminal practices (Brochu 2006; Nunes 2011a). The relation between violent practices and use of drugs is well known. It is also known that drug consumption can be on the part of the offender, on the victim, or both (Fagan 1993; Kleiman and Heussler 2011). So, there are criminal occurrences in which the victim is an individual under the influence of drugs.Explanations of this link between drugs and violence have focused on aggression patterns rather than the pattern of victimization. Although it is known that drug consumption increases some violent behaviors (Howard and Wang 2003a, 2003b), the reality is that drug effects/consequences also can lead to victimization vulnerabilities. The drug addict is, in effect, an individual with special characteristics which may render him fragile in the face of victimization situations. …