Substance abuse, alcohol, and crime have long been linked. Alcohol use and drug abuse make it more likely for a person to commit criminal acts, such as assaults, domestic violence, DUI, prostitution, rape, and robberies. Of course, it is also a crime to possess, manufacture and/or distribute drugs, and punishable by law. However, establishing a relationship between alcohol and drug use, and crime is not easy. Does alcohol or drugs lead to criminal activities, or is the opposite true?
In simple words, substance abuse can be defined as a pattern of overindulging in addictive substances, such as alcohol or drugs, and consequently becoming dependent on them. People abuse these addictive substances for various complicated reasons. The use and abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other addictive substances is implicated in all types of crimes. Substance abuse certainly leads to violent behavior, and this is a major social concern that is posed by it (Lymenn and Potter, 2003, p.21). Crimes related to substance abuse are not only committed as a result of being under the influence of an addictive substance, but also for financial interest or for protecting an investment in such substances.
There is a large volume of literature on illicit drug abuse and its relationship with crime. Based on the research of the Bureau of Justice, findings suggest that: (1) more than 25% of jail and prison inmates committed crime to get money for drugs; (2) around 5% of homicides committed are drug-related, (3) about 10% of rapists commit rape under the influence of alcohol or drugs, (4) about 14% of adult probationers were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when had committed the offense they had been convicted of, (5) more than 67% of DWI offenders on probation are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs, (6) more than 82% of jail inmates had used drugs at some point in their lives ("Drugs and crime"). These findings strongly suggest that there is a definitely a relationship between substance abuse, alcohol, and crime.
Drugs are categorized in a variety of ways, based on their origin and the effect they have. Some drugs occur naturally, some semi synthetic, and others are synthetic. The major categories of drugs include:
Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens is a category of drugs that alters the way the environment around us, reality, and time are interpreted by the brain, leading to hallucinations (T., 2010). These drugs also affect emotions, movement, reaction to situations, and the senses.
Stimulants: Stimulants is a category of drugs that stimulate brain activity, temporarily boosting and enhancing the vital process, making the user feel alert (Cherry). Caffeine is a common stimulant, while cocaine is an illicit stimulant drug.
Narcotics: Narcotics is a category of drugs that includes some of the most addictive drugs that relieve pain, and induce drowsiness and a state of sleep. Although narcotics are used for medicinal purposes as well, overindulgence in these drugs counts as substance abuse.
Club drugs: ‘Club drugs’ is a category of drugs that includes drugs that have become popular among juvenile drug users and young adults. This category mainly includes synthetic drugs that are used in clubs and dance club, during all-night dance parties (raves).
Sedatives: Sedatives is a category of drugs that are used medicinally to calm a person and make them less anxious, excited, and/or nervous. Sedatives drugs are abused and misused to overproduce the calming effect that these drugs have.
Hypnotics: Hypnotics is another category of medicinal drugs, similar to narcotics and sedatives, since they are used for their calming effect and/or to induce sleep.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not exactly a drug but is an addictive substance that is often considered as a sedative because even alcohol calms a person as well.
Juvenile drug use and substance abuse refers to the overindulging use of addictive substance, especially alcohol and drugs, by children under the age of eighteen. Today, Juvenile drug use and substance abuse causes family members and communities to suffer to quite an extent. Juvenile substance abuse further burdens the juvenile justice system because of leading to an increase in juvenile delinquency. Juveniles are using addictive substances to alter their moods at very young ages (Gfroerer, 1996). Apart from increasing the likelihood of juveniles becoming involved in crime at very young ages, juvenile substance abuse also leads to declining grades, poses health risks, and other consequences.
Alcohol and crime have an individually strong link. Apart from driving under the influence of alcohol, alcohol is often the underlying cause in wide variety of criminal offences. Evidence suggests that people are more likely to commit crimes in a ‘drunken’ state because alcohol consumption alters a person’s understanding of acceptable behavior, increases aggression, and lowers inhibition. The effect of alcohol on the perpetrator of criminal offenses can also increase the frequency and/or intensity of these offenses ("Alcohol and crime").
It is quite apparent that research connects substance, alcohol, and crime. There are two main circumstances under which some addicted to alcohol or drugs commits a crime. They either commit a crime under the influence of the addictive substance, or they commit a crime in order to directly obtain the addictive substance or to acquire money to buy the addictive substance. Regardless, substance abuse does indeed lead to crime, and crime facilitates the use and abuse of addictive substances.
References
Alcohol and crime. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.civitas.org.uk/crime/factsheet-alcoholcrime.pdf
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Stimulants. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/psychoactivedrugs/a/stimulants.htm
Drugs and crime facts: Drug use and crime. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/duc.cfm
Gfroerer, J. (1996). Preliminary estimates from the 1995 national household survey on drug abuse. advance report number 18. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED403334&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED403334
Lymann, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2003). Drugs in society: Causes, concepts and control. (4th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing Co.
T., B. (2010, Oct 24). What are hallucinogens?. Retrieved from http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/lsd/f/lsd_faq01.htm
