Women Offenders' Substance Use over Time: 2010 to 2021

What we did

Substance use patterns of federal women offenders prior to incarceration are assessed by the W-CASA at intake. From June 2010 to December 2021, a total of 3,579 women offenders were assessed (33% Indigenous). For analysis purposes, year of assessment was categorized into two-year periods.^{Footnote 4} 

What we found

The majority of women offenders reported lifetime alcohol use (91% to 94%) over the time period examined. Reports of lifetime drug use increased from 67% to 82% from 2010 to 2021.

In 2010 to 2011, 85% of women were assessed as having a substance use issue compared to 86% in 2020 to 2021, indicating that the proportion of women with substance use issues remained constant over time. However, an examination of substance use severity^{Footnote 5}  demonstrated that the proportion of women with low severity issues decreased from 35% to 21% over the same period, while women assessed as having a moderate to severe substance use issue increased by 15% (50% to 65%). The largest increase occurred among women with a moderate substance use issue (13% to 23%).

In 2010 to 2011, 45% of women offenders indicated being under the influence during their offence or committing their offence to support their substance use, and this increased to 63% in 2020 to 2021. Among those with a moderate to severe substance use issue, alcohol only use (5% to 2%) and both alcohol and drug use (14% to 12%) decreased slightly while drug use only (31% to 46%) increased over time.

In 2010 to 2011, the three most used substances in the 12 months prior to arrest were crack/cocaine (20%), alcohol (14%), and opioids (12%). In 2020 to 2021, they were alcohol (53%), central nervous system (CNS) stimulants (11%), and opioids (10%).

During the study period, injection drug use (IDU) increased by 11% (23% to 34%) and poly-substance use (using alcohol and/or multiple drug types in the same day) increased from 40% to 55%.

Among women who had experienced pregnancy, the proportion indicating substance use during pregnancy increased from 21% to 25% during the study period. Of women who reported substance use during pregnancy, alcohol only (31% to 26%) and both alcohol and drug (43% to 17%) use decreased, while drug use only increased (26% to 58%) over time. The most commonly used drugs during pregnancy remained constant over time: crack/cocaine, cannabis, and opioids.

What it means

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) offers various supports and interventions for offenders with substance use issues. These findings emphasize the continued need for substance use related supports for women offenders. The increase in injection drug use among women reinforces the importance of the provision of harm reduction initiatives, such as the prison needle exchange program.

For more information   

For questions and/or more information, please email the Research Branch. You can also visit the Research Publications section for a full list of reports and one-page summaries.

Prepared by: Sarah Cram and Shanna Farrell MacDonald