Federal Men Offenders’ Substance Use Patterns over Time: 2006 to 2019

What we did

The Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse for men (M-CASA) is administered on admission to federal custody. It assesses pre-incarceration substance use patterns and severity of substance use. In total, 34,202 men were assessed between January 2006 and March 2019 (18% were Indigenous; n = 6,154). ^{Footnote 2 Footnote 3} 

What we found

Offenders reporting lifetime alcohol use remained constant at about 95% throughout the study period. However, offenders reporting lifetime drug use increased by 17%, from 60% in 2006-2007 to 77% in 2018-2019.

In 2006 to 2007, 73% of offenders had an identified substance use issue ^{Footnote 4}  compared to 78% of offenders in 2018 to 2019. Examination across severity of substance use indicated that offenders assessed with a low level substance use issue increased by 7% (from 31% to 39%) during the study period – the largest increase across the severity categories. ^{Footnote 5}  This pattern was particularly evident among offenders with alcohol use issues, with a 10% increase in those with low severity (from 34% to 44%) compared to a 5% increase for drug use severity (from 23% to 28%). The proportion of offenders with a moderate to severe issue remained stable (42% to 40%).

In 2006 to 2007, the three substances used most in the 12 months prior to arrest were cannabis (27%), cocaine/crack (23%) and opioids (8%). ^{Footnote 6}  In 2018-2019, after alcohol (25%), the three drugs used most in the 12 months prior to arrest were cannabis (23%), cocaine/crack (11%), and central nervous system (CNS) stimulants (11%). Reporting of CNS stimulants use increased from 4% in 2006 to 2007 to 11% in 2018 to 2019. Opioids continue to be reported; 10% of offenders reported its use in 2018-2019.

Fewer offenders reported reducing/quitting their substance use in 2018 to 2019 (84%) compared to 93% in 2006 to 2007. Offenders reported fewer attempts to reduce/quit their consumption; one-third of offenders in 2006 to 2007 reported four or more attempts compared to 19% in 2018 to 2019.

Offenders who reported poly-substance use (using multiple substances in one day) increased by 12% between 2006 to 2007 and 2018 to 2019, from 32% to 44%. However, the proportion of offenders reporting injection drug use (IDU) decreased by 5%, from 23% to 18%. Reports of substance use during a prior incarceration also decreased during the study period, from 30% to 21% of offenders.

What it means

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) offers interventions and support for a variety of substance use issues. These results demonstrate decreases in IDU and substance use while incarcerated are promising. However, the increase in prevalence of substance use issues indicate that on-going support for substance use needs is important, particularly with respect to CNS stimulants and opioid use, as well as poly-substance use. Future research comparing offenders with a low versus a moderate to severe substance use issue may provide additional insight into these subpopulations.

For more information   

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Prepared by: Sarah Cram and Shanna Farrell MacDonald