Modern Studies Dissertation

SOCIAL CLASS IS A FACTOR IN THE LINK BETWEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CRIMINALITY

Chapter 1.

Introduction – Outline the issues to be looked at in the chapter and give a reason about why it is important to look at each issue.
There are many ways in which involvement with drugs can lead to breaking the law[?]. [?]From dealing drugs, taking drugs to some of the effects drugs have on people’s lifestyles and choices ends up with the law being broken. People may have to steal and use tax aviation in order to pay for drugs. They may also become violent when they are on drugs due to the mood swings and increased testosterone they have to put up with. Those who are dependent on drugs may also get mixed up with criminal gangs and the violence and dealing which goes on within those circles. The market value of the goods which are stolen and involved with drug users adds up to somewhere between 2 and 2.5 billion pounds a year[?]. This shows the scale of the crimes being committed with regards to drug use. Sub conclude – how does this help to answer the chapter aim/hypothesis? [?]

Heroin fuelled crimes committed in Edinburgh iIs costing £200 million to innocent victims. There is said to be 1,200 addicts in Scotland’s capital city, which costs £200 million annually due to their delinquent behaviour[?]. Desperate addicts are committing a growing number of crimes such as car thefts, shopliftings and break-ins due to the cheaper and purer heroin, which is infiltrating through the city being the centre of this problem[?].[?] Research studies have shown that a lot of acquisitive crime is committed by those who are dependent on crack cocaine and heroin that need money to pay for their fixthose who are dependent on crack cocaine and heroin that need money to pay for their fix commit a lot of acquisitive crime. It is suggested that between a third and over a half of all acquisitive crimes are related to illegal drug use[?].[?] Class A drug use creates around £15.4 billion in crime and health costs each year, 995 of which is caused by problematic drug use usually involving heroin and crack cocaine. In 2010 there was 12,812 seizures of heroin across Britain again highlighting the height of the drug problem within the UK. Delinquents also get caught up in criminal activities when they are under the influence of drugs or they have to turn to stealing as they can’t cannot hold down a steady job which forces them into a life of crime. This shows the scale of the crimes being committed with regards to drug use and the need to fund habits especially when drugs take over the ability to lead a ‘normal’ life. Sub conclude…

This problem however has been arguably been exaggerated by the media and others who have no’t taken into account the changing attitudes towards drugs. B and by focusing in on all the negative effects of this drug abuse, i. It is has not being taken into account that many people who are now dependant on crack cocaine and heroin had been involved in criminal activity before turning to drugs. There could have been other pushing factors into this criminal lifestyle such as social exclusion, encompassing – poverty and unemployment. This is, especially now relevant with regards to the current economic recession. It is the small minority of drug users that have to turn to crime in order to fund their habits. Most drug users fund their addictions from their job, benefits they receive, or other incomes that are coming into their household. It is this minority, who aren’t are not only committing crime and having a bad impact on society as a whole, but unfortunately there their habits also leak into the streets and labelling occurs to those who can’t cannot keep it hidden, unlike those whose drug abuse is concealed to their household. Sub conclude…

The UK as a whole has developed a “bingeing” mentality which towards drugs in a similar is the same when it comes to way towards attitudes involving alcohol. The UK’s use of the most problematic drugs, being heroin and crack cocaine (the purest form of cocaine), is comparable to other European countries. Our The problem however lies with the fourth mentionedaforementioned bingeing culture when it comes to recreational drugs. This is what causes the problems and leads to things such as ‘bubbles’ being created and sold. Bubbles are also referred to as “Dundonians”, due to their Scottish origin. Another faze phase that has caught on is drug cocktails,cocktails; this is when people take uppers for nights out then downers for coming home back in – a lethal mixture. The result of these mixtures is an increase in testosterone and anger which that spills out into violence in a similar way that it does with mixing alcohol and caffeine. Drugs such as cocaine were originally just for the upper prices due to the cost of it being around £100 for a bag. These days Nowadays, however, cocaine has filtered through into all social classes with a bag costing as little as £20. This means that these drugs are more common as they are more readily available and affordable, which as a result leads to an increase in drug related crime. Middle- class women have admitted that instead of pre-drinking before a night out they are now gathering together to take cocaine before going out for the evening and starting to consume alcohol as well. The mixing of cocaine and alcohol is an example of the British bingeing culture. has also been helped along by Furthermore, poppers coming into playhave become seen as some as essentials for nights out. This shows drugs infiltrating filtering down into the lower classes as well as changes in society meaning women are as equal as men in their binging mentality; – something which newspapers do no’t take kindly upon as they are breaking a mould. Sub conclude…

1 in 20 adults will smoke weed yearly across the globe. This the media focuses in upon and gives a bad reputation, however in the past marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes, which highlights the changing attitudes towards drugs as the years go on. This could be due to the effects of drugs leaking out onto the streets and effecting the British population as a whole, which therefore creates negative connotations with it. If a child is brought up with no positive role models in a drug ridden house hold then they do not learn the same boundaries as the rest of society does and this could lead to criminal activities that they have learnt from their role models. In places such as Hackney in London the ambiance of the estates is one filled with dark coroners and fear. Kids are not in school, instead they are out on the streets selling drugs as they claim that it is no’t as easy to “just find a job”. Sub conclude…

Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice
In 2010 there was 12,812 seizures of heroin.
Between a third and half of robberies, burglaries and other thefts relate to drug use.
The UK’s is thought to be worth between £4-6 billion.
In 2009/10 there was 2.6 tonnes of cocaine seized (9% decrease from 2008/09) there was 1.5 tonnes of heroin seized (2% fall from 2008/09) and 59kg of Crack Cocaine were seized (79% increase from 2008/09) _______ link to new binging/drug cocktails? This is when it is smoked and the vapours are taken into the bloodstream as fast as when they are injected. The euphoric high will be experienced within ten seconds and this is most likely the reason for it being highly addictive

[1]
[2] Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557 OR
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice Date Accessed??
[3] http:/www.scotsman.com/news/heroin_crime_costing_city_victims_163_200m_1_96… (The Scotsman 9/12/05)
[4] Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557 OR
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice Date Accessed??
[5] “Thug Life”, Channel 4 Dispatches 26 October 2006

[i] Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557 OR
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice
[ii][iii][iv][v][vi]http:/www.scotsman.com/news/heroin_crime_costing_city_victims_163_200m_1_96… (The Scotsman 9/12/05)
[vii] Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557 OR
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice

4) “thug life” Channel 4 dispatches 26/10/06

Direct.gov.uk/en/crimejusticeandthelaw/rimeprevention/dg-181557
Nationalarchives.gov.uk-homeoffice
In 2010 there was 12,812 seizures of heroin.
Between a third and half of robberies, burglaries and other thefts relate to drug use.
The UK’s is thought to be worth between £4-6 billion.
In 2009/10 there was 2.6 tonnes of cocaine seized (9% decrease from 2008/09) there was 1.5 tonnes of heroin seized (2% fall from 2008/09) and 59kg of Crack Cocaine were seized (79% increase from 2008/09) _______ link to new binging/drug cocktails? This is when it is smoked and the vapours are taken into the bloodstream as fast as when they are injected. The euphoric high will be experienced within ten seconds and this is most likely the reason for it being highly addictive