...of social exclusion helps us understand the relationship between drug use and crime. One of the most common explanations of the drug-crime relationship is that drug use causes crime. While there is some support that drug use causes crime, there is some variation about the way in which drug use may cause crime.(Bennett and Holloway,2005) Bennett and Holloway highlight three types of explanation: Psychopharmacological explanations, economic explanations and drug lifestyle explanations. Psychopharmacological explanations suggest drug use can lead to crime because of the impact of drugs on the behaviour of the drug user. Goldstein describes this when he states ‘some individuals as a result of short term or long term ingestion of specific substances may become excitable, irrational and exhibit violent behaviour.’ (Goldstein,1985:494) By this Goldstein is saying that drug taking has a direct effect on the individual’s behaviour which can lead to criminal behaviour (Bennett and Holloway,2005).Psychopharmacological explanations of the links between drug use and crime tend to focus on the links between drug use and violent crime (Bennett and Holloway,2005). There are a number of ways in which Psychopharmacological processes may lead to crime. White and Gorman list ‘disinhibition, cognitive-perceptual distortions, attention deficits, bad judgement and neuro-chemical change’ (White and Gorman,2000:170) as potential drugs organism interactions that may cause violent behaviour (Bennett...
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...The link between drug use and crime is not a new one. For more than twenty years, both the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Justice have funded many studies to try to better understand the connection. One such study was done in Baltimore on heroin users. This study found high rates of criminality among users during periods of active drug use, and much lower rates during periods of nonuse (Ball et al. 1983, pp.119-142). A large number of people who abuse drugs come into contact with the criminal justice system when they are sent to jail or to other correctional facilities. The criminal justice system is flooded with substance abusers. The need for expanding drug abuse treatment for this group of people was recognized in the Crime Act of 1994, which for the first time provided substantial resources for federal and state jurisdictions. In this paper, I will argue that using therapeutic communities in prisons will reduce the recidivism rates among people who have been released from prison. I am going to use the general theory of crime, which is based on self-control, to help rationalize using federal tax dollars to fund these therapeutic communities in prisons. I feel that if we teach these prisoners some self-control and alternative lifestyles that we can keep them from reentering the prisons once they get out. I am also going to describe some of today’s programs that have proven to be very effective. Gottfredson and Hirschi developed the general theory...
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...The last major point this article discusses is that Mexico sends their criminals and drug dealers into the U.S. to rid their problems in their country. The impact on this country in regards of crime for illegals is tragic. In recent weeks headlines have been covered with cases of criminals who crossed the border illegally only to go on to commit horrific crimes against Americans. Most of these criminals come from Mexico and have a long arrest records, and continue their records in the U.S. by robbing and beating people up along with bringing drugs into communities. One story is that an “illegal man from Mexico was charged with breaking into a 64 year old woman's home, crushing her skull and eye sockets with a hammer, raping her, and murdering...
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...Organized Crime and Drug Trade Organized crime and the illicit drug trade is a fairly recent ordeal occurring throughout the world, both strongly linked with drug trafficking. Organized crime refers to the unlawful activities of the members of a highly organized, disciplined association engaged in supplying illegal goods and services, including gambling, prostitution, loan- sharking, narcotics, and labor racketeering (Schmalleger, 2011, pg.234). Drug trafficking, which is a type of organized crime, consists of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, importing, and exporting (or possessing with intent to do the same) a controlled or counterfeit substance (Schmalleger, 2011). These two come hand in hand because the powerful people/ organizations from different parts of the world are the ones who control the illicit drug trade industry. Without the drug traffickers the industry would consist of suppliers who would have no way to deliver their product to the consumer. It is estimated that the illegal drug trade generates up to 500 billion dollars a year, making it the second most lucrative industry after the arms industry (Jenner, 2011). The reason drug trafficking occurs can be due to the high consumption of illicit drugs throughout the world which in turn fuels this business. Like any other industry, there will always be organizations that control it. For example in the automotive industry in the U.S., “the big three” – GM, Chrysler, and Ford are the ones who dominate it, although...
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...On the other side drugs could bring many problems. That's why many people prefer them not to be legal and able to be obtained by everyone. Cigarettes cause many health problems but they do not shrink parts of the brain. Marijuana and other drugs kill brain cells and shrink parts of it. This will only make our upcoming generations have smaller brains. That doesn't benefit anyone. Also, crime will not decrease if we make drugs legal. Studies show correlation between crime and drug use. It's obvious that people committed crimes because they were on drugs. The crime rate will rise because more people will want to use drugs. Drugs being legal would send out a wrong message to teenagers and kids. They would think it's okay to use...
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...Although it is a scheduled controlled substance, drug crimes involving marijuana are handled differently than those involving other illegal substances in Pennsylvania. This includes offenses relating to the distribution of marijuana. In order for people to help protect their rights, it may be helpful for them to have an understanding of marijuana distribution charges, and the potential penalties for this offense. Under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act, people are not only prohibited from possessing even a small amount of marijuana. The delivery distribution of this substance, or the intent to distribute it, is also restricted. This is the case even if the substance is not for sale. The severity and types...
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...Based on the information I learned in this Chapter, I cannot necessarily say that drug use causes crime. However, there is a casual relationship between drug use and crime but that doesn’t mean that this is true all the time. Since drug use isn’t the cause for all crimes, all the time then I would state that for sure. So therefore, I would say that drug use and crime is correlated to each other, very strongly. However, it is still impossible to say either of one of these two variables effect the other. The reason is because for every crime we cannot say drug causes crime, it could be other trends that causes crime. To assess the construct validity of research on drug and crime, we have to take the time out to think about different patterns...
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...targeting crime and especially rug related crimes. While it is clear that many of these young African Americans are going to prison due to drug related crimes, stopping the war on drugs altogether is not the solution. Although stopping the drug war may seem efficient for stopping the incarceration of young blacks in the present, it does not guarantee that these same people will not commit other crimes. The cost for stopping the drug war is allowing drug usage and distribution to run rampant which can cause the society and the neighborhoods around the areas to become unsafe. Alexander discusses how there is no way around this issue and dismantling the system of mass incarceration is the only resolution; however if these poor neighborhoods were funded with government money, drug abuse can potentially become lower or even be stopped. Alexander is also discussing how a handful of reforms cannot be a solution to the problem. She argues that all the financial grants that are given to police departments for drug arrests and racial profiling should be halted. She believes that by halting the funding and supplies of mass incarceration are only scratching the surface of social reform. She believes there must be a change in the culture of law enforcement. By stopping mass incarceration Alexander believes that, that is the first step in racial integration. The costs of stopping mass incarceration are high for the government and prison systems. By stopping their reimbursements, drug related...
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...GANG ACTIVITY AND DRUG OPERATIONS GANGS AND DRUGS MR. BENJAMIN HAILEY EVREST UNIVERSITY JESUS CARDENAS March 11, 2013 Relationship between Gangs and drug Use In the United States and many other countries statistics show that there is a significant relationship between gangs and drugs (Bean, 2004). What is unclear, however, is the nature of the relationship between drug use and crime and this has resulted in much discussion. The definition of drug-related crime excludes violations of drug laws and includes acts of crimes that are committed by people who are using drugs or in the course of buying drugs or selling (Stevens, 2005). In (1985) Goldstein proposed the relationship between gangs and drug can be classified into three categories. Firstly, psycho-pharmacological i.e., the physical properties of the drug affect the user's mind in a way that leads to violent behavior. Secondly, systemic i.e., violent behavior is the normal and expected behavior of the drug scene culture. Finally, economic-compulsive i.e., the addictive nature of the drug leads the user to engage in violent behavior to steal items in order to resell them to fund their drug habit. This is probably the most widely accepted link between drug use and crime (Stevens, 2005). The research invariably falls into two types. Firstly, offenders who have been caught are tested for drug use. Evidence to support the...
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...to determine the causes of crime. Two commonly recognized theories, the choice theory and the social conflict theory, highlight very different perspectives to explain why individuals commit crime. The choice theory suggests that a person commits a crime because they choose to. This choice happens during a moment when a person will weigh the consequences of committing a crime to decide whether the reward is worth it. Theorists believe that a person can think rationally through the decision-making process of committing a crime. The rewards may be financial and can also be sensual. The criminal may be seduced by the rush they may feel when committing the crime. In contrast, the social conflict theory deals less with the psychology of committing a crime and suggests power is the root cause of crime. This theory suggests that the real crimes exist in society through means of “poverty, racism, sexism, and destruction of the environment” (p. 37, Gaines & Miller, 2006). Furthermore, crimes are suggested to be reactions to this power because criminals view laws as a form of repression. Capitalism is also thought to have a negative influence on society and fuels frustration because of the disparity people feel seeking unattainable rewards. Crime trends provide useful data to help criminologists test theories and create a clearer understanding of the causation of crime. A crime trend that is strengthened by statistical evidence is drugs and alcohol and its relationship...
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...Darnae Johnson We often hear of absurd crimes that take place and wonder how individuals can draw themselves to doing such psychotic crimes. It is important to analyze the negative effects of illegal drugs and how it predisposes it’s users to criminal behavior. Drug users are seen to be associated with violence and illegal activity. The use of illegal drugs can cause individuals to hallucinate and engage in criminal offenses that they would not have committed in a normal state of mind. (1) There is a correlation between drug usage and criminal behavior, predisposing individuals to commit social acts of crime due to the biological altercations that the drugs have on one’s brain. Abusing illegal drugs can definitely turn a normal individual into a criminal by socially impairing them and causing them to commit acts of crime that they would not have committed if they were sober. A study conducted by the US Department of Justice showed that 1 in 4 criminal offenders were on drugs when they committed their...
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...n the An Introduction to the drug ratings in the Philippines Background study drug addiction and drug abuse, chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. Traditional definitions of addiction, with their criteria of physical dependence and withdrawal (and often an underlying tenor of depravity and sin) have been modified with increased understanding; with the introduction of new drugs, such as cocaine, that are psychologically or neuropsychologically addicting; and with the realization that its stereotypical application to opiate-drug users was invalid because many of them remain occasional users with no physical dependence. Addiction is more often now defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society and includes both licit and illicit drugs, and the term "substance abuse" is now frequently used because of the broad range of substances (including alcohol and inhalants) that can fit the addictive profile. Psychological dependence is the subjective feeling that the user needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being; physical dependence is characterized by tolerance (the need for increasingly larger doses in order to achieve the initial effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the user is abstinent. INTRODUCTION Illegal drug use is “almost automatically”([1]) associated with criminal behaviour. The statistical...
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...Implementation of Real-Time Crime Information System for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria C.H. Ugwuishiwu & K.C. Ugwu Department of Computer Science University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria Chilkodili.ugwuishiwu@unn.edu.ng H.C. Inyiamah Department of Computer Engineering Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria drhcinyiama@gmail ABSTRACT The problems of narcotic drugs in Nigeria as manifested in the cultivation, trafficking and abuse of drug is of increasing concern to the government, social researchers, and other stakeholders. The impact of illicit drugs continues to threaten the economies and social structures of both producing and consuming countries. This paper presents an implementation framework for a reliable, efficient and mobile real- time crime information system (CIS) that will help to maintain instant flow of information between the general public and NDLEA. This application solved this problem through a just-in-time flow of crime information from an informant who could be an individual, corporate body or any other government agency to the NDLEA office for a necessary action. This kind of information if handled properly will lead to illicit drug supply suppression hence reduce its availability as well as other substances of abuse. It will also help in drug demand reduction which result in a decline in the consumption of illicit drug substances. Keywords: : NDLEA, Law Enforcement Agency, Crime, Drug Trafficking, illicit drug, information System. . African...
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...Imprisonment Does Not The drug epidemic is something that has affected many families all over the world. Drug abuse puts a lot of stress on parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents – anyone who is part of the home (“Alcohol”). Along with the drug epidemic comes the criminal activity to obtain the drugs. Our nation’s prison population has exploded beyond capacity and most inmates are in prison, in large part, because of substance abuse: 80% of offenders abuse drugs or alcohol; nearly 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically addicted; approximately 60% of individuals are arrested for most types of crimes test positive for illegal drugs at arrest (“Alcohol”). Although the current system emphasizes putting addicts in jail, it would be more beneficial for them and society to enter into inpatient rehabilitation. The relationship between drugs and crime is very complex. At the most intense levels of drug use, drugs and crimes are directly and highly connected. Serious drug use can amplify and prolong preexisting criminal activity. There are essentially three types of crimes related to drugs: Use-Related crime: These are crimes that result from or involve individuals who ingest drugs, and who commit crimes as a result of the effect the drug has on their processes and behavior. Economic-Related crime: These are crimes where an individual commits a crime in order to fund a drug habit. These include theft and prostitution. System-Related crime: These are crimes that result from the...
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...Name Course Tutor Date Drug, Alcohol, and Crime Introduction Alcohol refers to an intoxication ingredient that’s found in wine, beer, and liquor while a drug relates to any substance apart from food that if smoked, inhaled, injected, consumed or is dissolved under the tongue it results in a physiological change of the body. The combination of the two might lead in a crime which is can be denoted as unlawful practices that are punishable by the law. Alcohol and drugs contribute much to the high rate of the offence in most societies though considering other risk factors such as child exposure to violence and mental or biological health. The risk factors aside research have examined alcohol and drug abuse to be the major contributor to crime. The relationship of narcotics to crime is quite complex and yet controversial; the puzzling question is whether people who use drugs are already crime oriented or is there a direct connection between drugs and alcohol consumption to criminal activities. Taking a case study of the Australian community it has been documented that the estimated cost of alcohol and drug-related crime range from $1.96 billion to over $4 billion. The statistics are quite the same to every as alcohol and drugs prove to be the biggest ingredient to spark up the crime. Through observational study, it has been identified that illegal drug users who engage in intensive drug use are bound to amplify and take part in pre-existing criminal activities. This has sensitized...
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