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Probit analysis is applied in a situation where analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) would customarily be used. The dichotomous dependent variables arise from dichotomizations of skewed continuous variables recorded as the proportion of time certain activities are observed. The probit approach avoids the biases of ordinary A NCO VA that arise due to skewness (limited variation). To illustrate this, data from 225 experiments and 214 control subjects in a drug treatment program was analyzed. It was found that the probit approach was able to reveal more substantial treatment effects than the ordinary A NCO VA.

Various addict behaviors that are relevant to the narcotics‐crime relationship are examined throughout the course of the addiction career. Anglo and Chicano methadone patients are studied and several methodological approaches are utilized. The data are representative of numerous critical periods within the addiction career as well as periods immediately preceding and subsequent to it. The results from the various methodological analyses converge to indicate that while involvement in property crime activities generally precedes the addiction career, after addiction occurs the highly elevated property crime levels demonstrated by addicts appear to be regulated by similarly high narcotics use levels. During periods of curtailed narcotics use produced by treatment, property crime levels are significantly reduced and become extremely low after termination of the addiction career. The findings are compared with results previously reported and new results are presented. Theoretical consideration of circumstances that significantly moderate the narcotics‐crime relationship, such as geographic and sociodemographic differences, drug trafficking, and other behaviors, are discussed.

A sample of 279 male heroin addicts admitted to methadone maintenance programs in Southern California, interviewed between 1978 and 1980, reported high rates of drug trafficking and over 250,000 property crime-days, which resulted in 6,251 arrests. Analyses indicate that offense rates and related social and economic costs were at their highest during periods of addiction. The aggregate cost to society, including criminal justice system and drug treatment intervention, is conservatively estimated at $85 million, averaging $20,000 per subject per year. These findings provide an empirical basis against which to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative interventions.