Substance Abuse and Crime

Possession, manufacturing, and sales of certain substances are illegal and criminal. There is however, a relationship between substance abuse and other crimes as well. This paper will attempt to cover the relationship between substance abuse and those "other crimes." First, it is important to understand what substance abuse includes. Substance abuse differs from dependency in that it is less severe and does not meet all the criteria necessary to be diagnosed as dependency. Abused substances can include both legal and illegal drugs. An example of legal substances may include alcohol and over the counter or prescriptions medication. Lymann and Potter list six drug categories: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics, cannabis, and inhalants. Each category can obtain both legal and illegal substances. (Lymann and Potter, 2003)

The ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet provides information obtained in 1997 depicting illicit drug users, during that year, as "16 times more likely than nonusers to report being arrested and booked for larceny or theft; more than 14 times more likely to be arrested and booked for such offenses as driving under the influence, drunkenness, or liquor law violations; and more than 9 times more likely to be arrested and booked on an assault charge" (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html). The U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs reports on the drug use of State and Federal prisoners. They take into account prior drug, dependence and abuse of illegal drugs. In 2004 50% of Federal inmates reported that they had used drugs in the month prior to their offense. "Among State prisoners who were dependent on or abusing drugs, 53% had at least three prior sentences to probation or incarceration, compared to 32% other inmates" (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/dudsfp04.htm). A table in this same report portrays drug use at the time of offense. According to this table 32.1% of state prisoners and 26.4% federal prisoners were under the influence of some form of drug during time of offense. Of all drugs used during time of offense marijuana/hashish is responsible for the bulk of this number; 15.4% of state prisoners and 14.0% of federal prisoners, included in this study, were under the influence of marijuana/ hashish during time of offense. This is not to say that the offense was not for possession or distribution of the substance. There are many studies showing the connection between substance abuse and other criminal activity. This same report states that "1 in 4 violent offenders in prison committed their offense while under the influence of drugs" and that "1 in 3 property offenders in State prisons report drug money as a motive in their crimes" (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/dudsfp04.htm ).

"The Violence associated with drugs poses one of the greatest social concerns" (Lymenn and Potter, 2003, p.21). Sadly common targets of this violence are family members; often spouses or children. Substance abuse can account for a bulk of violent crimes reported. Among these substances are both legal and illegal forms. The crimes can occur due to being under the influence or for the sake of protecting investments or financial interest. "Drug-trafficking gangs wage turf wars and calculated acts of revenge over the control of neighborhoods" (Lymenn and Potter, 2003, p.21). The U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs reports on Alcohol and Crime state that approximately 3 million reports occur each year where the victim perceives the offender as having consumed alcohol. "For about 1 in 5 violent victimizations involving perceived alcohol use by the offender, victims also reported they believed the offender to have been using drugs as well" (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/dudsfp04.htm).

Reported in 1998 was, out of 14,088 reported homicides 4.8 % of them were drug related. These findings, in The ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet, specify that drug related homicides are murders that specifically occurred during a narcotics felony. The DEA reported in violence against officers, drug use is prevalent. 24% of violence on the officers occurred while the offender was under the influence; however a hardy 72% had a history of drug law violations. Additionally, " Six times as many homicides are committed by people under the influence of drugs as by those who are looking for money to buy drugs" (http://www.dea.gov/demand/speakout/07so.htm). Substance abuse can increase the chances of violent crime due to chemical altering effects on the body. It appears that alcohol is often a large contributor in this form of crime although not the only contributor. Another form of crime increased by the abuse of substances is financial gain crimes.

Financial gain crimes are theft of monies or property to be sold for money. Substance abusers often use this form of crime to obtain the money needed for purchase of drugs. According to the ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet, 1997 findings report that 19% of State prisoners and 16% Federal inmates report that their current crime was committed for the sake of obtaining money for drugs (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html). It is commonly believed that the bulk of financial gain crimes related to substance abuse are drug related; alternatively most violent crimes in relation to substance abuse are alcohol related. In a 2004 profile of methamphetamine users among State prisoners, it is reported that "violent offenders (6%) were half as likely to use methamphetamines as either drug (19%) or property (13%) offenders" (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/dudsfp04.htm).

Family members are often times the victims of substance abusers theft. Substance abuse easily leads to loss of productivity and employment failure. The need of the substance abuser to support their habit overpowers moral responsibility to family. The families may unintentionally enable abusers by providing financial assistance. If the family stops enablement "the person begins stealing items of value from the household to sell for drug money" (Lymann and Potter, 2003, p. 7).

Statistics clearly connect crime and substance abuse. The use of statistics, though, should be used with an open mind. The ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet, use homicide as an example for why it is difficult to interpret statistics on drug-related crimes. They state the FBI uses two types of drug-related homicides to represent this form of crime. The two types consist of murders occurring during narcotics offense and murders occurring during narcotic influenced "brawls." Homicides not represented as drug-related are murders that occur during robbery and committed by a person under the influence that is stealing in order to obtain financial support for habit. They further state that crimes are reported by there most serious defense. There are connections between substance abuse and other crimes. The extent to which drugs relate to these crimes is multifaceted. Statistics show a clear connection between violent and financial gain crimes. Studying statistics is helpful in that it exhibits drug-related crimes, however, they should be looked at objectively. Statistics may not always be the most precise form of information, rather proof that the relationship occurs.

References

Executive Office of the President Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2000). ONDCP Drug Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet: Drug- Related Crime March 2000. Retrieved March 9, 2007 from http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html

Lymann, Michael D. and Potter, Gary W. (2003). Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts and Control 4th edition. Anderson Publishing Co., Cincinnati, OH

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Partnerships for Safer Communities. (2006). Substance Abuse and Crime" Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004. Retrieved March 9, 2007 from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/topics/substance.htm

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Fact 7. Crime, Violence, and Drug Use Go Hand-in-Hand. Retrieved March 9, 2007 from http://www.dea.gov/demand/speakout/07so.htm