Major Categories of DrugsMajor Categories of Drugs ToleranceTolerance: is indicated by a state : is indicated by a state

of progressively decreased of progressively decreased responsiveness to a drug.responsiveness to a drug.

DependenceDependence: the physiological : the physiological distress and physical pain a person distress and physical pain a person suffers if he or she goes without the suffers if he or she goes without the drug for any length of time. drug for any length of time.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime The relationship between drugs and The relationship between drugs and

crime are commonly associated with crime are commonly associated with criminal behavior. criminal behavior.

There are four major drug categoriesThere are four major drug categories– 1) Hallucinogens 1) Hallucinogens – 2) Stimulants2) Stimulants– 3)Opiate Narcotics3)Opiate Narcotics– 4) Sedative-Hypnotics4) Sedative-Hypnotics

Major Categories of DrugsMajor Categories of Drugs

Hallucinogens or PsychedelicsHallucinogens or Psychedelics: chemical : chemical that lead to the a change in consciousness that lead to the a change in consciousness involving an alteration of reality. involving an alteration of reality.

Stimulants: Stimulants: chemicals that are used to chemicals that are used to stimulate central nervous system functions. stimulate central nervous system functions. Ex. Caffeine, MDMA, ect.Ex. Caffeine, MDMA, ect.

Opiate Narcotics: Opiate Narcotics: chemicals that have both chemicals that have both sedative and analgesic properties.sedative and analgesic properties.

Sedative-Hypnotic: Sedative-Hypnotic: chemicals that depress chemicals that depress the central nervous system functions.the central nervous system functions.

HallucinogensHallucinogens Marijuana is the most commonly Marijuana is the most commonly

used hallucinogen and is assumed used hallucinogen and is assumed to be linked to crime.to be linked to crime.

Marijuana does not seemed to be Marijuana does not seemed to be linked to violent crime, however, linked to violent crime, however, sale and distribution is an issue.sale and distribution is an issue.

StimulantsStimulants Heavy users of amphetamines typically Heavy users of amphetamines typically

prefer to inject methhamphetamine prefer to inject methhamphetamine directly into their bloodstream.directly into their bloodstream.

During the “speed runs” they usually take During the “speed runs” they usually take part in aggressive or violent behavior. part in aggressive or violent behavior.

Amphetamines do not cause people to Amphetamines do not cause people to become violent but they do increase the become violent but they do increase the likelihood that an already violently prone likelihood that an already violently prone to become violent. to become violent.

StimulantStimulant MDMA: (Ecstasy) is a synthetic drug that MDMA: (Ecstasy) is a synthetic drug that

is considered a stimulant but with some is considered a stimulant but with some strong psychedelic effects. strong psychedelic effects.

Known as the “club drug”Known as the “club drug” Beyond the illegal trafficking of the drug, Beyond the illegal trafficking of the drug,

no direct connections have been made no direct connections have been made between MDMA ingestion and crime. between MDMA ingestion and crime.

MDMA becomes lethal when it is not MDMA becomes lethal when it is not made under ideal and precise conditions.made under ideal and precise conditions.

The DepressantsThe Depressants Club Drugs: GHB and Rohypnol are both Club Drugs: GHB and Rohypnol are both

central nervous system depressants. central nervous system depressants. Rohypnol is most often associated with Rohypnol is most often associated with

the Date Rape because of its use in the the Date Rape because of its use in the club scene.club scene.

The Drug Induced Rape Prevention Act The Drug Induced Rape Prevention Act of 1996 was a result the increase in use of 1996 was a result the increase in use of Rohypnol and date rape cases.of Rohypnol and date rape cases.

The DepressantThe Depressant

AlcoholAlcohol: The number one drug of : The number one drug of abuse. abuse.

Alcohol is responsible for more Alcohol is responsible for more deaths and violence than all other deaths and violence than all other drugs combined. drugs combined.

Some research calls alcohol the Some research calls alcohol the catalyst for crime. catalyst for crime.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

The relationship between drugs and crime The relationship between drugs and crime may be viewed from two perspectives:may be viewed from two perspectives:

– 1) the use, sale, manufacture, distribution 1) the use, sale, manufacture, distribution and possession of an illegal drug.and possession of an illegal drug.

– 2) the pharmacological effects of certain 2) the pharmacological effects of certain drugs have on a user’s behavior promoting drugs have on a user’s behavior promoting criminal actions.criminal actions.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

Research FindingsResearch Findings 1) More individuals are incarcerated or 1) More individuals are incarcerated or

held in jails and prisons for drug offenses held in jails and prisons for drug offenses than for any other offense;than for any other offense;

2) Arrestees frequently test positive illicit 2) Arrestees frequently test positive illicit drug use;drug use;

3) Arrestees and incarcerated offenders 3) Arrestees and incarcerated offenders were often under the influence of illicit were often under the influence of illicit drugs when committing their offensesdrugs when committing their offenses

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and CrimeResearch FindingsResearch Findings

4) Some offenders commit property crime to 4) Some offenders commit property crime to support their drug habitsupport their drug habit

5)Drug trafficking often engenders violent crime5)Drug trafficking often engenders violent crime

6) The drug-crime relationship is difficult to 6) The drug-crime relationship is difficult to identify measureidentify measure

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime Tripartite Conceptual ModelTripartite Conceptual Model

Goldstein identifies three principle Goldstein identifies three principle types of drug related crime:types of drug related crime:

– 1) psychopharmacologically driven 1) psychopharmacologically driven crimecrime

– 2) systemic crime2) systemic crime– 3)economically compulsive crime.3)economically compulsive crime.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

PscyhopharmacologicalPscyhopharmacological: as a : as a result of short-term or long-term result of short-term or long-term ingestion of specific drugs or ingestion of specific drugs or chemical substances become chemical substances become excitable or irrational and excitable or irrational and demonstrate violent behavior.demonstrate violent behavior.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime SystemicSystemic: component of the model : component of the model

hypothesizes that crime arises out of hypothesizes that crime arises out of the system of drug trafficking and the system of drug trafficking and distribution. distribution.

For Example: The production, distribution, and selling For Example: The production, distribution, and selling of powder and crack cocaine have been associated of powder and crack cocaine have been associated with violence although the amount of violence with violence although the amount of violence fluctuates with the illicit market economy.fluctuates with the illicit market economy.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

Economically Compulsive:Economically Compulsive: crime crime refers to criminal behavior that refers to criminal behavior that supports an expensive drug supports an expensive drug addiction. addiction.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime 77 million of Americans 12 years and 77 million of Americans 12 years and

older reported some use of an illicit drug older reported some use of an illicit drug at least once during their lifetime at least once during their lifetime (National Household Survey on Drug Use).(National Household Survey on Drug Use).

70% of all inmates have committed some 70% of all inmates have committed some type of drug offense.type of drug offense.

85% of federal inmates are incarcerated 85% of federal inmates are incarcerated for a drug offense (a majority were for a drug offense (a majority were involved in trafficking).involved in trafficking).

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime The most common drug is The most common drug is

Marijuana followed by Cocaine.Marijuana followed by Cocaine.

27% of the population are also 27% of the population are also multiple drug users.multiple drug users.

Drugs and CrimeDrugs and Crime

Crack: The most common method Crack: The most common method of cocaine smoking in the US is of cocaine smoking in the US is freebasing.freebasing.

The relationship between crack The relationship between crack

and crime remains obscure.and crime remains obscure.