The majority of young people in custody have alcohol and other drug problems and over 90% report past-year experiences of high-risk drinking and illicit drug use. Despite a strong link between drug use and violent offending, there is a dearth of information about how this relationship plays out in sentencing young adult offenders. This study examines themes in the sentencing of drug-using young adults facing court for serious violent crime and describes how judges discuss rehabilitation as a consideration for this high-risk group. This research contributes to the literature by bridging law and social science through a cross sectional analysis of n = 507 sentencing remarks from New South Wales higher courts. Substance use involvement was indicated in more than three-quarters (77%) of violent offence cases. Among young adults sentenced for violent crimes involving substance use (n = 51) robbery and homicide were the most common offences, and alcohol and methamphetamine were the most frequently involved substances. Two themes emerged around judges’ reasons for sentencing, one emphasising offender agency and choice and another more compassionate position acknowledging the influence of drug dependence on offending behaviour. Despite this divide, addressing substance use dependence was commonly seen as key for the successful rehabilitation of young people who commit violent crime involving alcohol and other drugs.

中文翻译：

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被判犯有涉及酒精和其他毒品的严重暴力犯罪的年轻人的量刑主题

大多数被拘留的年轻人都有酒精和其他毒品问题，超过 90% 的人报告说过去一年有高危饮酒和非法吸毒的经历。尽管吸毒与暴力犯罪之间存在密切联系，但关于这种关系如何在年轻成年罪犯量刑中发挥作用的信息却很少。本研究探讨了因严重暴力犯罪而面临法庭审判的吸毒青年的量刑主题，并描述了法官如何将康复作为这一高风险群体的考虑因素。本研究通过对来自新南威尔士州高等法院的 n = 507 份量刑评论的横断面分析，将法律和社会科学联系起来，为文献做出了贡献。超过四分之三 (77%) 的暴力犯罪案件表明涉及物质使用。在因涉及物质使用的暴力犯罪（n = 51）被判刑的年轻人中，抢劫和杀人是最常见的罪行，酒精和甲基​​苯丙胺是最常涉及的物质。围绕法官量刑的理由出现了两个主题，一个强调罪犯的代理和选择，另一个更富有同情心的立场承认毒品依赖对犯罪行为的影响。尽管存在这种分歧，但解决物质使用依赖问题通常被视为使犯下涉及酒精和其他毒品的暴力犯罪的年轻人成功康复的关键。一个强调罪犯的能动性和选择，另一个更富有同情心的立场承认药物依赖对犯罪行为的影响。尽管存在这种分歧，但解决物质使用依赖问题通常被视为使犯下涉及酒精和其他毒品的暴力犯罪的年轻人成功康复的关键。一个强调罪犯的能动性和选择，另一个更富有同情心的立场承认药物依赖对犯罪行为的影响。尽管存在这种分歧，但解决物质使用依赖问题通常被视为使犯下涉及酒精和其他毒品的暴力犯罪的年轻人成功康复的关键。