Abstract
This paper explores two major psychological theories, which attempt to explain why people use drugs as a solution to their various problems. The main goal of this research is to explain how these theories explain the drug usage and describe whether these theories support a strong relation between drugs and crime. The method of research includes finding two articles about crimes, committed under the influence of drugs and reasoning the connection between the usage of drugs and crimes. This paper examines a possible connection between the two selected theories and two crimes, described in the articles. According to the results of the research it would be possible to define the threats of drug-using lifestyle and the influence to other people’s lives. It also would be possible to define the scope of the relationship between drugs and crimes and prove that no one, who abuse drugs is safe from committing a crime.
Keywords: crime, drugs, influence, theory, drug use, abuse
Relationship Between Drugs and Crime
Drugs are connected to crime in numerous ways. More precisely, it is a crime to keep, be possessed of, produce, use or spread drugs is being classified as a possibility for abuse. Cocaine, marijuana, heroin are samples of drugs ranked to have abuse possibility. Drugs are as well connected to crime through the results they have on the addict’s conduct and by causing assaults and other illicit activity together with the drug trade. (Wilson, 1990)
Psychological theories
Theories relying upon psychological factors are divided into two basic classes: those stressing the system of reinforcement, and those underlying that the identities of the drug users, abusers, and particularly the addicts differ from those of the teetotalers and are causally linked to use and abuse. Theories, which underline that the identities of drug users differ from non-users, could be shared out on inadequate personality theory and problem-behavior proneness. A common thing or what links these theories is that they claim that some people may have such type of personality that pushes them to drug use and abuse. (Goode, 1972)
Inadequate Personality. Many researchers consider the fact that psychological disorders, pathologies or inadequacies could explain drug misuse. (Goode, 1972) The mental and emotional sides of such people is damaged or it is something wrong with that, and they are trying to correct this flaw by using drugs. Short-term euphoria brings relief and problems are forgotten. This way of solving problems is typical for immature people, unable to take responsibility for their actions. Problems that are solved in this way, do not go away, but only hide behind a temporary euphoria. But at the same time, they entail greater challenges. A state of euphoria - that is, elevated mood, bliss, it is the most desirable for a drug addict. The same is with drinking. This is the key point of dependencies. The reasons for all the dependencies are almost identical - dissatisfaction with lives and, as a consequence, the desire to change something in life, but by infantile, unhealthy methods. It is the easiest way, which does not require liability and changes. Drugs - infantile attempt to solve internal problems.
Infantile literally means "mentally immature", with childish thinking. But, unfortunately, there are not many mature, self-sufficient young people. For an immature person, it is simply impossible to understand one, to find solutions to the problems, especially if they are burdened with the outbreak dependence. In other words, such a decision looks like an attempt to solve the problems of adults by childish methods. Among drug addicts there are both failed and socially accomplished people, even seemingly successful businessmen, artists and politicians. Immaturity is shown not in the ability to earn money.
Inadequate personality can be a threat, and have a high propensity to crime, even without the influence of drugs, however, when such a person is abusing drugs, the chances of committing a crime are increasing. Suffice it to say that not all those, who use drugs, are inadequate, but the longer and the more a person use it, the greater risks are.
Problem-behavior proneness. First of all, this problem is a dimension. The key factor of it is a desire to take risks. It would be hard for such people to survive in a normal society, so strong is their desire to take risks. They want to be independent and free, to be rebellious and less attached to family. According to the theory of problem behavior, disrespect for authority and moral principles leads to drug use. The problem of bad behavior causes not only drug use, but also promiscuous, crime. All these actions are interconnected, and one leads to another. The theory clearly establishes the connection between crime and bad behavior
. Many studies show that a person who loves to take risks and is an abnormal life, in most cases, not only tries to drugs, but also uses them regularly. (Jessor, Donovan, & Costa, 1991) This entails violations, including criminal. But here the question of drug use differs from the question of drug abuse, because, such people, teens, could try drugs to feel independent, but there could be a variety of reasons for drug abuse, such as influence of friends, a desire to get away from the problems, the fashion, and the desire to appear older.
As could be seen, both theories reveal a strong relationship between drug use and crime, also they show possibilities of such a relationship and explain the circumstances for that.
Drunk teen and driving
An intoxicated young man was driving home from a friend’s house. He exceeded the speed and crashed into another car, which was traveling in the opposite lane at normal speed. There was an elderly couple in the car. Both died. The teenager was arrested. (Hoffmann, 2017)
This situation can serve as a vivid example of how a problem behavior, in this instance, illegal drinking of alcohol by minors and driving under the influence of alcohol, can cause more serious and even fatal consequences - the death of other people. The scale of this crime is enormous, as it has caused irreparable damage and took away people’s lives. There cannot be excuses for such an act. Such phenomena must be fought and offenders must be punished more severely.
Marijuana, irresponsibility and crime
A woman was arrested for attempting to steal at the store, a man was sitting in her car with a year-old baby. Both adults were under the influence of drugs - smoking marijuana, there were also were other drugs in the car. Both were arrested. The child was given to the relatives. (“Owasso Police: Pair Arrested For Drugs With Baby In Car,” 2016)
This case demonstrates blatant irresponsibility; one crime follows the other and even one more. Smoking marijuana has pushed the woman to a crime, theft, and jeopardized the life and safety of the child. The scale of the crime is not huge, because no one was hurt, but things could be completely different, so such a violation should not be underestimated.
Both cases only confirm the theory that drugs affect the amount of crime and criminal behavior. On the other hand, drugs are not forced to commit a crime, but rather push a person that already has in his mind, even without the effects of drugs. Drugs are connected to crime in numerous ways.
Addiction to drugs often causes criminal behavior. From this we can talk about the effects of drugs on the human as a stimulant to action. Doubtless is the fact that the drug effect significantly increases the scale of the crimes and their number. The majority of crimes are committed by those who use illegal drugs.
Causes of drug use can be very different – to get away from the problems, to seem adults, to be fashionable, to relax. But the consequences could be terrible. Under the influence of drugs a person cannot control own actions, and it may cause some irreparable consequences. The link between crime and drugs is obvious, therefore, everyone should remember this and do everything necessary for own safety and safety of beloved ones.
Reference List
Goode, E. (1972). Drugs in American society, 148-149. New York: Knopf.
Hoffmann, C. (Jan 12, 2017) Drunk Teen Driver Arrested for Causing Death of Two. In Legal Resources. Retrieved from https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=30545
Jessor, R., Donovan, J. E., & Costa, F. M. (1991). Beyond adolescence: Problem behavior and young adult development, 47. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Owasso Police: Pair Arrested For Drugs With Baby In Car. (Dec 19, 2016). In News On 6. Retrieved from http://www.newson6.com/story/34088819/owasso-police-pair-arrested-for-drugs-with-baby-in-car
Wilson, J. (1990). Drugs and Crime. Crime and Justice, 13, 521-545. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1147491
