Preview

Substance Abuse In Incarcerated Populations Essay

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
415 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Substance Abuse In Incarcerated Populations Essay
Committee: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Topic: Combatting Drug Usage in Incarcerated Populations
Nation: China
Delegate: Azzara Nincevic, American Heritage School Plantation
The abuse of drugs by incarcerated peoples is a rapidly growing issue among all nations. The goal of prison is to reform and rehabilitate former criminals, however this goal cannot be accomplished if more and more prisoners are abusing controlled substances. It is estimated that over 80% of prisoners abuse a controlled substance, and over 65% of prisoners are clinically addicted. Because these numbers are based on reported cases, the actual percentage are likely much higher. These statistics reflect a dire situation that must be addressed.
China has taken extensive international action
…show more content…
This is necessary in order to create safer environments that effectively reform criminals and adequately prepare them for integration into society. The first and foremost cause is the flow of drugs into convicted populations. We need to investigate how controlled substances are being trafficked into prisons, and we need to combat the transport of contraband within the prison system. The second major cause is the lack of rehabilitation for incarcerated peoples who were substance abusers before their convictions. If an addict is convicted and does not receive adequate support and health resources to overcome their addiction, the convict is more likely to abuse drugs in prison and become a repeat offender after prison. It is estimated that while over 65% of prisoners can be classified as clinically addicted, only 11% of prisoners receive proper treatment for a clinical addiction. In order to effectively resolve substance abuse in incarcerated populations, we must staunch the trafficking of drugs into prisons and provide the necessary support system for clinically addicted

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Most of the federal prisons in the Unites States are overcrowded, many are filled with drug users and suppliers. Stiffer penalties were put in place decades ago, which makes it mandatory the drug offenders go to prison. Judges and prosecutors can sentence according to an individual’s…

    • 153 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Therefore, prison populations are comprised of offenders who have committed nonviolent drug offenses, and are predominantly minority – though the majority of drug users are white. Policies designed to be “tough on crime” have caused a departure from the paradigm of…

    • 1264 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sheriff John Tharp (Lucas County) has taken a distinct avenue when it comes to the heroin epidemic in Lucas County jail system. Tharp’s view is to treat the addicted inmate as opposed to punishing them. Effectively reentry is the goal. This program is one of the first treatment units for heroin addiction inside the jail system in Ohio. Heroin addicts find it problematic to seek out treatment willingly, do to adjusting to life on life’s term; do to a feeling of worthlessness. “Prolonged addiction increases the likelihood addicts will face a variety of emotional, physiological and social problems” (Marion Boss. Marc O’Neill) when an addict is more highly addicted to heroin the ambition to ignoring the drug making the addict briefly feel better…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many programs in the criminal justice system that is geared to helping the prisoners while they do their time. One of them is the drug treatment program, this program according to the Federal Bureau of Prison is suppose to provide inmates with drug treatment prior to reentry into society(Peters, R. 1993 ). As drugs are linked to crime most criminals are being incarceration. There are only about half of state correctional facilities that provide substance abuse treatment to its inmates (Peters,…

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “It[methadone] has been heavily criticised as a "one-size fits all" approach to a complex problem”(bbc.co.uk). Therefore, the question arises, is methadone an effective treatment to stop drug addiction or do addicts return to their ways? Dan Frosch, a New York Times writer, reflects on an issue concerning jails and detention centers nationwide, drug addiction. His article, “Plan to End Methadone Use at Albuquerque Jail Prompts Alarm” focuses on the effects, costs, and realities of methadone treatment. Frosch adopts a sentimental tone in order to appeal to similar feelings and experiences within his audience. Moreover, Frosch effectively uses ethos, pathos, and logos to prove that detention centers should provide methadone as a form of treatment to inmates with drug addictions.…

    • 1542 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although people have been using and abusing substances for as long as these substances have existed, the study of of addictions with the exception of alcoholism did not really emerge until the 1960's-1970's. Through out the last decade multiple changes to how addiction is viewed have occurred. Due to advances in the medical field and a better understanding of the chemistry of the brain addiction is now viewed as a disease instead of just a lack of morals. Because of the prevalence of wide spread usage of opiods, cocaine, and marijuana in the 60's and 70's more comprehensive research was deemed necessary to not only treat but effectively prevent drug addiction and alcoholism. It was also during this time frame that different classes of substances were created and we see a shift in how drug offenders were handled from the once harsher punishments to required treatment programs.…

    • 544 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are over two thousand drug courts in America, each one specializing in its own level of drug abuse. A drug court’s primary role is to handle cases with offenders of substance abuse. They offer offenders an opportunity to enter a rehabilitation program in lieu of sentenced jail time. The road to recovery is of course challenging and difficult, making the drug courts so strict and costly. Drug courts were generally created for non-violent drug abusers. Although these offenders are given the chance to avoid jail time they are extremely supervised by the court officials. Drug tests, substance abuse treatment, must make regular appearances in court and constant checkups are required to continue in the program. These offenders’ cases are usually dismissed due to their involvement in the program or their sentence is only shortened. Participation in these programs are completely voluntary and if qualified to enter, the offender must agree to complete all the tasks given and report to every summoning from the court. If an offender doesn’t complete the program, they can be prosecuted or their sentence will be revised and will be placed in jail. Drug courts are considered one f the most effective ways to eliminate drug abusers and avoiding incarceration. While in the program offenders are monitored and results of every drug court case is very astonishing, but the long term effect of these cases are beyond the rulings of the court. It is not known if those who participated in the programs continued their lives drug free. These courts have been examined and tested to see if the results justify the cost of the program. The operations evaluated such as the number of participants, referrals issued, and drug court graduates. The cost savings of processing the offenders through the program instead of straight jail time, and results compared with those who have been completed their sentenced jail time as opposed to those in the programs. The therapeutic jurisprudence theory…

    • 346 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The United States prison system is not a suitable place for nonviolent drug offenders. The high rate of recidivism is caused by one thing and one thing only, prison sentences. Nonviolent drug offenders will have no choice other than to socialize with other inmates, some who have committed irreprehensible crimes, thereby greatly increasing their chance of becoming violent. The population of prisons in the United States is on a steady rise. One way to stop this is by reevaluating the three strikes law, because the proof that this law discourages repeat offenders is simply not there.…

    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    A number of historical developments have set the stage for the shift from being primarily “tough on crime” to effective treatment, but the critical role of substance abuse treatment in the history of rehabilitation in American Corrections is often overlooked. Substance abuse treatment has demonstrated success over the…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The United States’ court system, jails, and prisons contain a significant number of offenders that have been convicted with drug related offenses, many of which are suffering from drug addictions. Drug abuse is becoming more prevalent, as drugs are becoming more and more readily accessible. Drug courts are a form of intervention used to treat drug-addicted offenders. Drug courts use the power and authority of a judge to keep a drug offender in treatment, providing rewards for successes and sanctions for failures. This form of intervention is used in order to reduce drug use, reduce crime, save money and restore lives.…

    • 101 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Overcrowded Prisons

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Drug offenders have represented the most substantial source of growth in recent decades, starting with forty thousand inmates in 1980 to four hundred and fifty thousand inmates today. Despite the fact that the number of persons in prison today for drug offenses is more than ten times the number in 1980, drug use rates remain substantial, with data indicating a general increase over the past few years. During a period, when the number of persons in prison for drug law violations was growing at a rate faster than other offense types, the underlying behavior appears to have experienced little impact. Due to todays new consciousness about the unfairness and effectiveness of harsh crack cocaine mandatory sentences has emerged among policy makers and the United States Sentencing Commission. These unfair sentencing laws, have a dramatic effect on the cause of overcrowding in prisons for decades.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: JRank.org, Prisons: Problems and Prospects - Prisons And The War On Drugs., (2011). Retrieved from:…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Drug Courts

    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 provided a potential one billions dollars for the subsequent five years to set up drug courts. As jurisdictions move forward in the establishment of such courts, it is essential to consider the conceptual and clinical elements that have made drug courts successful in drug rehabilitation and crime prevention far more than incarcerations.…

    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Opiate Addiction Essay

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Incarcerating these individuals and then sending them back into society without treatment is a surefire recipe for failure. By supporting drug treatment programs, it’s possible to create brighter futures for these people—as well as the societies that they return to.…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good 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