Intoxication and criminal behaviour

The common law position in Australia in relation to self‐induced intoxication and criminal responsibility is that evidence of intoxication should be taken into account when determining whether the Crown has proved beyond reasonable doubt that an accused person acted voluntarily and intentionally. In the Code jurisdictions, similar principles apply, although evidence of intoxication is generally only relevant to certain classes of offences. Although many legal commentaries on the issue of intoxication and criminal responsibility have been published in recent years, many of these have largely ignored the vast and rapidly growing scientific literature on the nature and effects of intoxication. This article describes the major effects of various psychoactive drugs, with particular emphasis on the potential effects of these drugs on criminal behaviour. The drugs are classified according to their major pharmacological properties — central nervous system depressants, central nervous system stimulants, opiates, c...