Alcohol and Drugs abuse is mainly a global problem. In the United States, alcohol and drugs have an influence in 80% of offenses leading to imprisonment. These offenses consist of; offenses defined by drug possession or sales, offences directly related to drug abuse such as theft, offences related to a lifestyle that makes the drug user to engage in illegal activities such as taking part in illicit markets. Alcohol plays a large role in criminal activities and violence. Excessive drinking has the ability to lower inhibitions, impair a person’s judgment and increase aggressive behaviors . Drug production and trafficking are mainly led by gangs or cartels who also take part in many other criminal activities. There is trading of illegal fire-arms, smuggling of migrants and trafficking of human beings. According to statistics, there are tremendous numbers of individuals in correctional facilities who are under parole supervision due to drug violations. It is however, not possible to determine a definite cause for the link that exists between the two. Drugs are usually grouped into Cannabis, Cocaine, Solvents and Inhalants, Opioids such as heroin, Amphetamines, Tranquilizers and Depressants such as Barbiturates, Hallucinogens. However, the four major drugs associated with crimes include Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin and Barbiturates ( Lee et al., 2017).
In 2004, a survey of adults who were in probation was done nationally whereby about 83% of probationers reported past drug use while 50% were found to have used illegal drugs in the month prior to their offense. Marijuana (78%) was the drug that had the highest usage at the time of the offense among the probationers.
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Figure 1: The percentage of inmates with a history of drug abuse in 2004 across America ( Lee et al., 2017).
|
Drug use by Inmates (%) in 2004 |
|
|
83 | |
|
78 | |
|
47 | |
|
33 | |
| Depressants e.g. Barbiturates | 29 | |
| Stimulants | 28 | |
|
27 |
Alcohol
Alcohol use is legal in almost all nations across globe for anyone that has attained the minimum age of 21 years. It however, plays a major role in social problems covering 40% of violent crimes today. According to the Department of Justice, about 37% of the 2million offenders that had been convicted were drunk at the time of their arrest. Alcohol is closely associated with crimes such as murder, rape, assault, homicide, child and spousal abuse. About 3million violent crimes occur yearly whereby the victims perceive that the offender was drunk. It often leads to violent acts where the offender and victim know each other ( Dudley, 2002).
Fgure 2: A table showing the number of crimes linked to alchol abuse ( Lee et al., 2017).
| Recorded 1 st April-19 th Nov 2012 | |||
| Alcohol | Alcohol Related | Alcohol as % of all | |
| Domestic Violence with Injury | 2247 | 1339 | 59.6% |
| Non Domestic Violence with Injury | 6958 | 3788 | 54.45% |
| Violence without injury | 9725 | 3542 | 36.4% |
| Sexual Offenses | 949 | 224 | 23.6% |
| Criminal Damage | 13853 | 1720 | 12.4% |
| Total All Crime | 62231 | 12037 | 19.3% |
Marijuana
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that is meant for medical use. However, it is abused for mental and physical effects such as to be high. Long-term use of the drug leads to addiction and decreased mental ability. Crimes associated with Marijuana include importing and exporting, dealing and trafficking, manufacturing or cultivating, possession or use of the drug. According to Nebraska Attorney General Peterson, Marijuana is also associated with having a violent behavior and likeliness to commit weapon offenses. Stores that sell legal marijuana are prone to property theft and burglary. Marijuana users are also found to be associated with cases such as Homicide ( Lee et al., 2017).
Figure 3: a table showing total police apprehensions for Marijuana offenses ( Lee et al., 2017).
| Offense | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | ||
| Import or export |
|
17 | 13 | 40 | 11 | ||
| Deal and traffic |
|
2,094 | 3,015 | 1,499 | 1,602 | ||
| Manufacture or cultivate |
2425 |
2046 | 2058 | 1553 | 1442 | ||
| Possess or use | 9282 | 8086 | 7398 | 5525 | 5371 | ||
| Other Offenses | 4360 | 3814 | 3298 | 2160 | 2061 | ||
| Total Offenses | 18114 | 16,052 | 15,782 | 10,777 | 10,487 | ||
| Percentages | 79 | 77.14 | 76.31 | 69.29 | 65.43 |
Cocaine
In U.S, the Federal Courts 2007 reported a sum of 5477 individuals who were found guilty of crack cocaine related problems. More than 95% of these offenders were involved in crack cocaine trafficking. It was found to be associated with Acts of violence such as homicides, suicide, accidents and overdose have been reported in vary many cases. A decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse is observed in users however, there is increase in prostitution as a means of obtaining drugs ( Wilczynski et al., 2004).
Figure 4: shows the distribution of fatal injuries that occurred as result of abuse of cocaine among New York residents ( Leeet al., 2017 ).
| Benzo Ylecgonine-positive | Cocadne- Positive | ||||
|
Crude |
Adjusted |
Crude |
Adjusted |
||
| Homicides | 6240 | 29.2% | 21.3% | 19.6% | 15.6% |
| Suicide | 1895 | 15.3% | 14.7% | 10.5% | 10.0% |
| Accidents | 6306 | 28.3% | 23.9% | 19.8% | 16.3% |
| Overdose | 4320 | 69.7% | 61.5% | 50.8% | 43.2% |
| Other undetermined | 402 | 16.9% | 13.3% | 11.2% | 9.2% |
| Total All Crimes | 14843 | 26.7% | 20.7% | 18.3% | 14.4% |
Statistics shows that 50% of crimes in the US are linked to heroin. At least half of all suspects are arrested for violent crimes such homicide, assault. Report shows that nearly two thirds of heroin users were abused physically or sexually as children. The 2002 Drug Abuse Warning Network reported 93,519 heroin related hospital emergencies. Some people commit suicide through a drug overdose ( Lee al, 2017).
Figure 5: the table depicts the number of crime linked to use of heroin in America (McNamara & Bell, 2012).
|
Crimes |
% | |
|
Murder |
21.6 | |
|
Kidnapping |
36.6 | |
|
Robbery |
41.8 |
Barbiturates
According to Office for National Statistics data, number of deaths increased which were recorded as suicide. Consumption of Barbiturates has a very narrow to therapeutic to toxic window. This means that the difference between taking a dose that leads to drowsiness or that can lead to comas or deaths is small and hence it would be a crime to take life. The drug also leads to having violent behaviors ( McNamara & Bell, 2012).
Figure 5: The table shows the number death that occurred as a result of use of Barbiturate in England ( Lee et al., 2017).
| Years | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
| No of Deaths | 42 | 45 | 40 | 41 | 21 | 27 | 31 | 21 | 26 | 22 |
Psychopharmacological
It implies that people may commit violent crimes after the use of substances that undermine judgment and self-control. A person usually has paranoid ideas that distort inhibitions and perceptions. Drugs such as cocaine and barbiturates are strongly associated with violence whereas heroin and marijuana are usually associated with a lesser desire to use violence to solve disputes ( Lee et al., 2017).
Economic Compulsive
It assumes that the drug user commits crimes so as to finance their drug use. The compelling and the recurrent need for the use of drugs and their high prices result into some users taking part in theft. Economic Compulsive Link focuses on individuals who have developed a dependence of drugs that they cannot afford since they are expensive. The drive to use the drugs and not being able to afford them constitutes on criminal action. Regular use of illegal drugs such as Cocaine and Heroin is expensive. Drug addicts use the illegal market, acquisitive income and social assistance as sources of income ( Wilczynski et al., 2004).
Systematic
Violence is a part of the illegal distribution market. It exists mainly because when the rules are violated, drug dealers cannot have a legal way of obtaining justice. The systematic link shows that the need to acquire profit by the drug dealers as well as the fierce competition in this illegal environment encourages the involvement in crime. This kind of crimes may exist where there are disputes between dealers, non-payment of debts and many others. Crime is caused by existence of rivalry between individuals. Rivalry may exist with traffickers, merchants or dealers or importers. Violence is used as an organizational management strategy from those who are attempting to corner the market. All the four major drugs may lead to crimes through the systematic link ( Lee et al., 2017).
Conclusion
Globally, the use of drugs has played a major role in the increment of crime. They lead to many social problems and damage existing relationships with family, friends and the society. The relationship between drug use and crime is complex. However, according to the statistics, there is an undeniably strong relationship between drug use and crime. Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, Barbiturates are the major drugs leading to high crime rate globally. Addiction of these drugs causes violent behaviors, carrying out of crimes such as homicides, suicide cases. There is no definite cause and effect link between drug use and crime but some theories try to explain the relationship. These theories are the Psychopharmacological link, Economic Compulsive link and Systematic Link. They try to give a reason as to why drug users tend to involve themselves in criminal activities.
References
Dudley, W. (2002). Drugs . San Diego, Calif: Greenhaven Press.
Lee, K. H., Jun, J. S., Kim, Y. J., Roh, S., Moon, S. S., Bukonda, N., & Hines, L. (2017). Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Among Homeless Adults. Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, 14, 4. Press.
McNamara, R. H., & Bell, K. J. (2012). Dimensions of crime as a social problem . Durham, N.C: Carolina Academic Press.
Wilczynski, A., Pigott, R., Australia., Urbis Keys Young., & National Illicit Drug Strategy. (2004). The Relationship between drugs and crime . Canberra: Attorney-General's Department, Australian Government. New York: NY. Carson. Press.
