Drugs and Crime

Drug Use Statistics show that drugs do cause crime. "In 2004, 17% of U. S. State prisoners and 18% of Federal inmates said they committed their current offense to obtain oney for drugs.

" US Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004. "In a 2007 study of 10 U. S. counties, 40 percent of the arrestees tested positive for marijuana. " Katel, P. 2009.

Crimes are mainly drug-related and the majority of drug abusers are repeat- offenders. Today we have more than 500,000, an increase of 1,200 percent .. . and a significant percentage of those are incarcerated for possession or nonviolent offenses stemming from drug addiction. " Katel, P.

2009. People, when under the influence of drugs are more susceptible to being influenced into doing things they normally would not, like committing crimes. Drugs reduce inhibitions and can cause euphoric hallucinations resulting in actions from the user that would not normally happen and can cause unsafe acts that can affect him or her and other people in his or her lives negatively.Lawmakers are repeatedly in the process of passing new and more stringent laws that will increase punishments for repeat offenders.

Drug abusers repeatedly offend. Lawmakers are in the process of sharply increasing punishments so that repeat offenders will not be as likely to repeat these offenses. "Some of the most aggressive efforts were made in the name of combating drugs, a problem whose interstate and nternational dimensions Justified federal intervention. " Law and law enforcement, 1993-1996. Statistics show that drug-related crime tops the list in arrests. Estimated totals of top seven arrest offenses in the United States, 2007 Type of arrest Number of arrests Total arrests Drug abuse violations 1,841 ,200 Driving under the influence 1,427,500 Simple assaults Larceny/theft 1 , 172,800 Disorderly conduct 709,100 Liquor laws 633,600 Drunkenness 589,400 *United States bureau of Justice Statistics, October 1 , 2002 Crime and punishment reform and proper education is needed in order to reduce rug abuse and crime.

The Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana is a widely used drug and often referred to as the "gateway drug" and can lead to the use of stronger and more dangerous substance abuse.The legalization of marijuana in many states in the United States has opened the door for many questions including crime reduction. Legalizing marijuana for chronic pain problems (including cancer and chronic back pain) is an area of substantial argument and questioning. Some people argue whether these people need marijuana for pain or merely for recreational use and abuse the system by making alse claims of chronic pain disorders to receive medical marijuana. Marijuana legalization is of constant debate for some states and by legalizing the use of marijuana will lead to state tax revenue that is dearly needed.Crimes "may be reduced" by legalizing marijuana usage and by the reduction of arrests through legalization.

Also, statistics show there is no difference in marijuana usage if it is legalized or not. "Drug use is not ... simply related to drug policy," the study said, "since countries with stringent user-level illegal-drug policies did not have lower evels of use than countries with more liberal ones.

" Katel, P. 2009. If marijuana "usage" is no different if it is legal or illegal then what will change if it is legal?People need to realize that drugs in public are not a help to society and its many problems easier access and no punishment for marijuana usage and possession. Crimes are also occurring at an increasing rate in suburban, safe, "gated communities" where crime is thought to be much lower than anywhere else. These so called "safe havens" have become a target for crime and drug selling.

"Suburbs and rural areas are not s dangerous as the central cities. " Clark, C. S. (1993, September 3).

According toa recent Time/CNN poll, almost as many suburban and rural residents as urban dwellers worry about being a victim of crime. Do you worry about being a victim of crn-ner Clark, C. S. (1993, september 3). Prevention The prevention of drug use and abuse starts as a child is learning and especially when they are a teenager and prone to "peer pressure. " As a teenager learns more about themselves and their environment, they are presented with opportunities to experiment with drugs and this is where they need to make a decision to either artake in the wrongdoing and Join the club or be an individual and refrain from this action.

Educated people are more likely to make sound decisions.Conclusion Legalizing marijuana will not cure the problem. This will only open the door for public displays of drug use and show children that it is okay to do drugs. Statistics reveal that illegal or legal, marijuana use will not change and the crime rates will increase if marijuana is legal.

The problem lies within the drug user and their mindset. Addictions can be treated and successful. Successful treatment depends on the will of the individual. Statistics show that drug abusers repeatedly offend and drug related crime is one reason for prison overcrowding.Lawmakers are making harsher punishments for repeat offenders and punishments for their repeated crimes are harsher than in years before as constantly changing legislation is changing punishments for these repeat offenders regularly. Teaching people at a young age about drugs and crime should be of utmost importance in the classroom and at home.

Most problems in society (including drug abuse and crimes) stem from lack of knowledge and a person's environment. A thorough education in drugs and rime is needed for people young and old.