NCJ Number
29489
Journal
Addictive Diseases Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 353-367
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A BRIEF EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP, BOTH CAUSAL AND COINCIDENTAL, BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE AND VIOLENT CRIME, WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF PUBLIC DRUG POLICY.
Abstract
THE DRUG MUST OFTEN IMPLICATED IN CRIME OF VIOLENCE IS ALCOHOL. BARBITUATE AND AMPHETAMINE ABUSE HAS BEEN LINKED WITH VIOLENT CRIME IN SEVERAL STUDIES, BUT THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THERE IS LITTLE TO INDICATE THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP IS A CAUSAL ONE. DRUG USERS ARE OFTEN THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, BUT THIS IS THOUGHT TO BE MORE THE RESULT OF INVOLVEMENT IN DRUG TRAFFICKING THAN OF DRUG USE. DRUG USE HAS LED TO THE CREATION OF A VAST, UNDERGROUND MARKETING SYSTEM; ONE WHICH CREATES A DEMAND FOR A TIGHTLY ORGANIZED SUPPLY STRUCTURE. PUBLIC DRUG CONTROL POLICY IS SEEN AS HAVING CREATED THREE RELATED INSTITUTIONS, ON BOTH A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. THE MASSIVE DRUG SUPPLY INDUSTRY IS MATCHED BY THE EQUALLY MASSIVE ENFORCEMENT INDUSTRY, WHILE TREATMENT AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS ATTEMPT TO FIND AND REMOVE THE CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE. ALL THREE HAVE A STRONG INTEREST IN SELF-PERPETUATION AND THE ACCUMULATION OF CAPITAL.