Evaluation of the Sociodemographic, Clinical and Criminal Characteristics of the Individuals with Probation due to Substance Use

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of substance use and related disorders has been ever-increasing in Turkey and in the world. Probation system has been implemented in Turkey since the year 2006. The aims of this study are to examine the relationships between sociodemographic, clinical features, criminal records of individuals who have probation and treatment and to evaluate the results of the application. Methods: A hundred fourty five individuals who applied to the probation office were prospectively included in terms of their sociodemographic features, substance use, forensic medical features, and the psychiatric diagnosis. During the implementation of the probation system, substance level analysis in urine samples was carried out as three and six-visit programs. Results: Of the participants, 142 (97.9%) were male and 3 (2.1%) were female. In the study, it was observed that individuals were mostly male, single, aged between 18 and 30 years, had a low level of education and income, and used marijuana as a substance. History of multiple substance use was determined in 59.3% of the cases. Conclusion: It was concluded that individuals should be educated about the substance since primary school period and social awareness should be provided. In addition, individuals with a low educational level were more likely to commit crimes and attended the six-visit program. It was thought that both implemented programs were similarly efficient and these programs should be continued effectively. Finally, it was evaluated that better clinical results could be obtained if a detailed psychiatric examination was performed in individuals with multiple substance use.