Perpetrators, Victims, and Observers of Violence

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Abstract
The purposes of this analysis were (a) to compare the prevalence of violence among a sample of chronic drug users (CDUs) and non-chronic drug users (NCDUs) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and (b) to determine the level of risk of becoming a victim, perpetrator, or observer of violence if one uses drugs. In interviews, 1,479 CDUs and NCDUs provided information about their experiences with violence. CDUs were significantly more likely than NCDUs to have perpetrated all violent acts. However, CDUs were also significantly more likely than NCDUs to have been the victim or observer of violent acts as well. This finding should shift our views of CDUs to include the latter roles. Specific intervention strategies are recommended to facilitate violence reduction in this population.