NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Drug Related Crime According to the definition the drug related crime is consists of using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing drugs classified as having a potential for abuse (such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines). Drugs are also related to crime through the effects they have on the user's behavior and by generating violence and other illegal activity in connection with drug trafficking. Drugs and alcohol are the factors, which can easily destroy humans psyche, body and personality. The person who develop an obsession for drugs lose everything. Such person becomes dangerous for those who are around. Nowadays many crimes are drug related.
It is not only crimes, which consist of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing drugs, but also those, which are committing under the influence of drugs. What can be said or done when drug addicted people attack an ambulance car or attack clinics? Somebody say that it is not a crime because the actions are made in the fit of passion. And what about murders? When drug addicted persons kill people for a few dollars just because they cannot suffer that awful pain? In this paper I want to review an article from BMJ-British Medical Journal, Action needed to tackle drug related crime.
As the title implies the article describes the horrors of drug crimes statistic. The article pointed that nearly a quarter (23 %) of all violent crimes are committed by people who seriously misuse alcohol or drugs. It is specially noted that interventions reducing the risk of violence in these patients would help to cut the enormous costs of drug related crime. The statistic is really awful.
According to it during 1998 - 2000, 16 % of all violent crimes were committed by people who were discharged from hospital with diagnoses of alcohol misuse, and patients diagnosed as having misused drugs committed more than a tenth of all violent crimes. The article emphasized the growing percentage of drug related crime and suggests that some actions must be done. It is especially mentioned that integrating of mental health and substance misuse services leads to improved outcomes. The authors say that this integration should be extended to the criminal justice system. The special attention is given to the fact that costs to the criminal justice system of drug related crime are enormous and it is better to prevent the crime. Interventions to reduce the risk of violence in patients who misuse alcohol and drugs could be highly cost effective (Action needed to tackle drug related crime, May 20, 2004) Im completely agreed with this article.
Really, annually the percentage of the drug related crimes grows. The data collected from the arrested in 24 cities shows that the percentage testing positive for any drug ranged from 42 % to 79 % across the cities. According to Male arrested charged with drug sale / possession were the most likely to test positive for drug use. Female arrested charged with prostitution or drug sale / possession were the most likely to test positive. Both males and females arrested for burglary and robbery had high positive rates. (Drug-Related Crime, 2000) Im also agreeing with the statement that Prevention is the best cure ever but it is just a theory.
I know, that there are occurrences of recovery from the drugs addiction. But they very rare and still there are not enough programs, and clinics and high-qualified specialists in this field. It is hard to provide some steady course of action when there is no unity in the public opinions. There are many points of views and all of them differ. Americans mostly look to law enforcement to curb illegal drug use but some slim majority refers to the drugs crime as to the disease.
Democrats think of drug use as a disease rather than a crime. Republicans, on the other hand, are more likely to see drug use as a criminal behavior than a health problem. The younger population is far more liberal in their view of drugs. More than 58 % of young people are deeply convinced that drug use is a disease, not a crime. I hope that government will take the point and see the threat of disaster in the todays statistic. We need to take actions while still exist the possibility for improvement.
Bibliography Emma Dickinson, BMJ-British Medical Journal, Action needed to tackle drug related crime, May 20, 2004. Retrieved May 8, 2005 from web Drug-Related Crime, March 2000, Retrieved May 8, 2005 from web
Free research essays on topics related to: criminal justice system, related crime, drug related, violent crimes, british medical journal
Research essay sample on British Medical Journal Criminal Justice System
