Essay Example on Drug Abuse & Crime: United States Crisis

Introduction

Drugs and alcohol have a direct impact on crime as they influence the users’ behavior making them more inclined to associate with criminal activities and violence. Drug abuse and crime stand as some of the biggest social problems in the US (Lauer et al., 2018). A significant part of the crimes committed in the US is associated with drug use. The criminal activities associated with drug use include property crimes, interpersonal violence, and delinquent behaviors, for instance, status offenses (Salas-Wright & Todic, 2014). The connection between drugs and crime is based on several factors, including the effects of drugs on the mind and people resorting to crime as they seek means to support their substance use habits. Besides, offenders often take drugs to overcome mental inhibitions when partaking in criminal activities. As such, it is critical to evaluate the interconnection between alcohol, drugs, and crime to understand these social problems and deduce ways to counter them.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Drug Usage to Counter Emotional Strains and Mental Inhibitions

The connection between drug use and crime can be ascribed to their disinhibiting effects. Upon consumption, some drugs alter the mental state of the user by subduing their internal restraints. Such people, in turn, become more inclined to engage in criminal tendencies that are ideally socially repressed (White, 2016). They become predisposed to engaging in criminal activities that offer short-term and easy gratification. Their self-control is lowered beyond the normal averages, and the user becomes more shortsighted and impulsive (Håkansson & Jesionowska, 2018). As such, one may not tend to commit crimes, but once they take drugs, their minds are inhibited from focusing on the long-term consequences. Subsequently, such people become self-centered and reckless, which increases their chances of engaging in crime.

Most drugs lead to the release of dopamine from the brain, which, in large amounts, could have adverse impacts. Under normal circumstances, the release of this chemical gives one a feeling of pleasure and reinforces positive behaviors such as working hard and exercising. However, when released in excessive amounts after one takes drugs, this chemical could prompt a person to act abnormally (Lauer et al., 2018). Some of the likely behaviors, including engaging in violence and driving under the influence. At such a stage, one experiences lower inhibitions hence engaging in dangerous behaviors, some of which are criminal, seems relatively normal.

Criminals often resort to drugs to overcome self-criticism after their involvement in a crime. Most criminals carry with them a sense of guilt after participating in a crime. They harbor feelings of blame and embarrassment for engaging in the socially unaccepted behavior and recognizing their going against societal moral values (Håkansson & Jesionowska, 2018). Such people strive to reconcile with their moral wrongdoings and often engage in intricate internal moral negotiations, which can be quite distressing. Consequently, most of them turn to abuse drugs to reduce memories of crimes and alleviate the self-criticism linked to having committed the offenses (White, 2016). Thus drugs come handy as a means to counter guilt and self-effacement.

The interconnection between juvenile delinquency and substance abuse

A distinct connection exists between drug and substance abuse and delinquency. One of the effects of the correlation between the two aspects is high crime rates among the youth who use such substances (Amlung et al., 2017). The juvenile justice system handles multiple arrests, adjudications, and interventions for many youths who have gotten into alcohol and drug abuse. About half of the young people arrested for committing offenses are found to be under the influence of drugs during the time of the offense (Salas-Wright & Todic, 2014). The problem has been rampant despite the possession and use of alcohol and drugs being illegal for the youths. The young people commit related crimes by engaging in income-generating crimes and violent acts when under the influence of these substances.

Statistics show that young people who use drugs are more likely to commit crimes compared to non-users. Heavy drug users are often involved in property crimes, while the users of common drugs participate in lesser crimes. Conversely, youths who traffic drugs exhibit higher crime rates against people. The trade heightens their confidence besides inhibiting some of their senses from seeing the consequences of their crimes (Salas-Wright & Todic, 2014). Additionally, youths have a higher likelihood of selling drugs while using them or get involved in burglary acts as they seek money to obtain more drugs. Thus substance abuse among youths is associated with an extended range of crimes.

Juvenile delinquency and substance abuse are caused by an extended range of factors. Parenting is a significant factor as most youths exhibiting aberrant behaviors due to drug use were either given inadequate attention or punished harshly during their young years (White, 2016). Such behaviors are interpreted as parental rejection, and the youths from such families are more likely to engage in deviant behaviors such as drug abuse and crime. Besides, youths from low-income family backgrounds in lower end suburbs are more likely to engage in drug use and crime as a means to escape their condition (Lauer et al., 2018). Therefore, delinquency and alcohol and drug abuse among the youth can be ascribed to several elements, which eventually lead to criminal tendencies.

Planning of Criminal Activities in Drugs Selling Areas

Areas close to such premises report high cases of violence and crimes such as robbery, rape, and assaults. The problem is rampant in alcohol outlets in low-income areas, which has become a concern for authorities in recent times (White, 2016). Despite the enactment of several zoning codes, a high number of alcohol outlets still exists and are contributing significantly to the high crime rates around the situated areas. The nightlife around such areas and general disorganization set a conducive environment for criminal activities (Amlung et al., 2017). Gangs often easily form around such areas and take advantage of the disorganization evident around most taverns. Besides, the dens are convenient areas to celebrate upon the successful execution of a crime.

Taverns and bars form a conducive area for planning criminal acts. Their setting allows unquestioned behavior, and surveillance is limited, which creates an ideal setting for arranging and executing such devious plans. Clubs serve as crucial meeting points for criminals since they can effectively arrange their plans with no fears of being tracked (Amlung et al., 2017). Besides, such places have numerous violent scenes and other attention-drawing elements that take off any unwanted attention. Taverns are also convenient as they offer the needed inhibitors to give them guts to overcome any fears and moral conscience before performing the criminal acts (White, 2016). Thus, clubs and taverns play a critical role in advancing criminal activities.

The illegality of purchasing and possessing some types of drugs and alcohol

Some drugs are illegal; hence possessing them is a crime. Such substances contribute to other criminal activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and illicit split drinking. Drug trafficking relates to the selling and importation of illegal drugs. The illegalization of certain drugs has led to other forms of crime, including money laundering and corruption, as dealers seek means to import such products (White, 2016). Also, criminal gangs have formed in recent years to run this trade, which handles the quantity, distribution channels, and modes of transport. Conversely, smuggling refers to the moving of illegal drugs to different locations. It lures vulnerable and often desperate youths to participate by promising massive returns, hence drawing people to crime (Håkansson & Jesionowska, 2018). Additionally, it propagates bribery as the smugglers have to find people in authority to hide their tracks and ensure their trade goes uninterrupted. Thus drug smuggling and trafficking result in a wide variety of crimes in society.

Illicit drinking is common with the illegalization of some drinks. It relates to the consumption of counterfeit and often hazardous alcohol. As people get addicted to drugs, they often seek for cheap means due to the depleted finances (Håkansson & Jesionowska, 2018). Subsequently, they resort to purchasing illicit alcohol whose sale is a crime and could pose significant health problems. Such unregulated products could also heighten the level of aggression that one experiences after taking them and prompt excessive disorderly behavior (Lauer et al., 2018). As such, their consumption contributes to other crimes such as murders and sexual assaults.

Most Criminals Found to be Under Influence When Committing Crimes

In most cases, people engage in crime due to the effects of drug and alcohol use. These drugs have chemicals whose interaction with the human brain produces certain behavioral effects. People become impatient, irrational, irritable, or excitable depending on the kind of drug is taken and which can increase the chances of them partaking in criminal activities (Salas-Wright & Todic, 2014). For instance, with minimal intoxication, one could become more violent and assault others. Conversely, the extended use of certain drugs causes nutritional defects and sleep deprivation, which could, in turn, make them more aggressive. Thus, the pharmacological effects of drugs drive people to engage in criminal activities.

Drug users are often exposed to settings that increase their likelihood of their taking part in the crime. Crime and drug use present examples of deviant behaviors and are closely interlinked (White, 2016). People who take drugs are more likely to extend to other aberrant traits, which are often criminal acts. Besides, areas where substances such as heroin and cannabis are taken, are often criminal dens. Users are thus likely to be drawn to the common activities in their surroundings hence their involvement in crime (Lauer et al., 2018). The areas within which crime is done often portray the idea of drug use and an aberrant lifestyle. As such, drugs form an integral part of an integral and universal part of the criminal lifestyle.

A high rate of drug crimes has been reported in the recent past. They range from the use and handling of illegal drugs to cognitive offenses, for instance, shoplifting and stealing as a means to finance one’s drug use (Amlung et al., 2017). These crimes often cause harm to others and are thus harmful to society. There are multiple cases of robbery with violence, assaults, and rape that are traced back to the effects of drug use. The identification of drug crimes is a clear indication of the relationship between drug use and crime.

Conclusion

Crime rates have continuously increased in the recent past, and a significant part of them are linked to alcohol and drug use. This trend has prompted the establishment of several policies to counter the issue. One of the measures taken is increasing partnerships between different agencies and the authorities. Such trusts seek to minimize the demand for drugs and reducing their supply in the market while reinforcing police efforts in curbing the issue (Lauer et al., 2018). Another strategy has been placing measures to diminish or eliminate the arrival of illegal drugs in the country. The production of certain drugs, such as opium, requires the importation of raw materials from other states. Curbing the importation of such materials could thus assist in reducing crimes.