Preview

Substance Abuse and Crime

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1516 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Substance Abuse and Crime
Name: Cederic Redus
Topic: Substance Abuse and Crime Instructor: Scott Breseman
Course: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Date: 22th January, 2011

Introduction
Substance abuse is “nearly automatically” linked with criminal acts. The statistical association between illegal drugs abuse and crime seems to be convincing when examined at the first glance; however, it is not possible to make a conclusion concerning a distinct cause-and-effect association between the two aspects. As noted by Brochu the idea that substance abuse results in crime does not put into consideration the effect of living conditions of a person, that can as well play an important role in criminal activities of an individual (30). Still, according to Greenield, there is a clear relationship between substance abuse and crime (11). Greenield, further notes that, alcohol and drug abuse is estimated to contribute in 80% of crimes resulting in jail terms in America (12), crimes like domestic violence, drug related offences, driving while drunk among many others. Thus this paper will examine the relationship between substance abuse and crime.
Background
One may ask the exact nature of the relationship between substance abuse and crime. As pointed out by Greenield, not all those people who use drugs or alcohol commit crime. More so, not all criminal abuse drugs or uses alcohol (12). Yet again, there is consistently high amount of substance abuse among those engaged in criminal activities. This relationship is a complex one and difficult to explain. Since the pharmacological impact of immediate as well as chronic exposure of substance abuse changes judgement and reduces self-control, those abusing drugs are more likely to end up committing crimes than those not using drugs. Similarly, some experts argue that criminal behaviours promote the use of substances. Yet again, other experts hold that there is a third aspect, for instance an individual’s genetic make-up or his environment that



Cited: Brochu, Sergio: The Results of Research on Drug Testing and Interviewing Arrestees, Home Office Research Study 183, London: Home Office, 1998, p. 30. Greenield, Leornard: Alcohol and crime: an analysis of national data on the prevalence of alcohol involvement in crime. Prepared for the Assistant Attorney General’s National Symposium on Alcohol Abuse and Crime. Bureau of Justice Statistics; Washington, D.C.1998 Trevor Bennett, Drugs and Crime: The Results of the Second Developmental Stage of the NEW-ADAM Programme, Home Office Research Study 205, London, Home Office, August 2000, p. 80 U.S. Department of Transportation: National Highway Traffic Safe Administration (1999). Trafic Safety Facts 1998.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kornhauser, R. 2016. “The effectiveness of Australia’s drug courts”. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology. doi: 10.1177/0004865816673412…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The three drugs that I decided to explore a little more are alcohol, crack, and ecstasy. In this essay I will be discussing the difference between each drug. I will also be talking about how each drug effect the person mind and health. By the end of this essay my goals is to inform you on all the facts about these three drugs.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    [ 17 ]. Bewley-Taylor, Taylor, Chris Hallam, and Rob Allen, The Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme, "The Incarceration of Drug Offenders: an Overview," Accessed May 3, 2012, http://www.beckleyfoundation.org/pdf/BF_Report_16.pdf.…

    • 4036 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The article “Association Is Not Causation” argues that substance abuse and family violence is not causation, but correlation. Correlation means that the two are independent, related variables, and they do not cause one another. Gelles and Cavanaugh state that best evidence of their argument comes from cross-cultural research, laboratory experiments, blood tests from violent men and survey research. They believe that their research fails to satisfies the three accepted criteria of a causal relationship: association, time order and intervening variables or spuriousness and their additional theoretical rationale. They also argue that the main studies linking the substance abuse and family violence have wrongly defined terms. In conclusion, substance…

    • 114 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Harrison, L., & Gfroerer, J. (1992). Crime and Delinquency (pp. 422-443). Retrieved July 22, 2013, from www.bjs.gov…

    • 1237 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    References: Home Office Research, Development & Statistics Directorate (2001) Drug Seizure & Offenders Statistics United Kingdom 1999.…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Walters, J. P. (n.d.). Drug Policy Information Clearing House. Retrieved September 21, 2008, from ONDCP: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html…

    • 3198 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Querna, Elizabeth. “The newest war on drugs.” U.S. News & World Report 138.6 (2005): 52-54.…

    • 1200 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Relationship between Delinquency and Drug UseIn my attempt to discover if delinquency and drug use, or the sale of drugs were correlated with one another, my research lead to a positive correlation, especially when there was gang membership involved. The theory I have chosen to tie in with my review of the articles I found is the social learning theory of Edwin Sutherland known as differential association theory. According to Britannica online, Sutherland 's differential association theory of delinquent behavior is learned from other persons who are also engaged in delinquent behaviors. Sutherland believes that a person becomes delinquent because of an access amount of exposure to the definitions of criminal behavior and the violation of the law (Britannica 2007). This particular belief is a good theory to use to explain juvenile delinquency. Orcutt (1983) explains that Sutherland states that everyone has social groups which influence each of us in the actions that we chose to engage in according to the norms and values of that group. An example would be that most of our parents teach us that we should respect and obey the law. However, there are those that some people are associated with inside their social network that influence in negative ways, tempting and leading others into deviant behavior. Such as assuring those within a group that certain drugs should not be criminalized and that the chance of getting caught with them is very slim. With enough pressure and continued exposure to that mindset and behavior pattern, an individual whom has not been engaged in certain illegal behaviors becomes involved with those activities that promote the illegal and delinquent behaviors. The behavior referred to in this paper is the use or selling of drugs and its connection with juvenile delinquency and gangs. According to Orcutt (1983), Sutherland does point out that learning of social norms and values does not come from the mass population but for one 's own intimate…

    • 1995 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Most non-violent crimes, such as thefts and burglaries, are committed by drug addicts to pay for their drug habit. By eliminating the reason behind the crime, the need to commit the crime will be eliminated; in some cases drug-related crimes were reduced by 51% (Popper, 2002). Drug treatment gets to the root cause of the crime. Treatment not only benefits the addict, it also gives them the opportunity to learn life skills and how to cope without the use of drugs, which will in turn help them to avoid making the same poor choices. Drug treatment is more than just stopping the drug use; it helps change behaviors and attitudes toward drugs and life. Without this major component, there is a larger chance of failure.…

    • 1515 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Drug Court Research Paper

    • 3239 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Gallagher, J. R. (2012). A Policy Analysis Framework for Drug Courts. Southwest Journal Of Criminal Justice, 2-16.…

    • 3239 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    “Do Drug Courts Work?” National Institute of Justice, 12 May 2008. Web. 3 Sept. 2012.…

    • 2165 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Home Office (2008) Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System – A Home Office publication under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, London: Home Office…

    • 2159 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Logistical Concerns

    • 338 Words
    • 2 Pages

    “Substance abuse refers to a set of related conditions that are associated with consumption of mind-behavior-altering drugs, which have negative behavioral and health concerns” HHS (2010). Social and community attitudes towards consumption of illicit drugs make substance abuse a complex issue with public health. In addition, substance abuse has been a flash-point within the criminal justice system with a major focal point on social values. The issues addressing substance abuse and social values include…

    • 338 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Dolan, K., Khoei, E. M., Brentari, C., & Stevens, A. (2007, June). Prisons and drugs:a global review of incarceration, drug use and services. Retrieved from http://www.beckleyfoundation.org/pdf/Beckley_RPT12_Prisons_Drugs_EN.pdf…

    • 2445 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays