Criminology and Types of Drug-Related Offenses - Essay Example

Clarence Shury Dr. David Quay Criminology 10 March 2009 Criminology In this paper I will describe the different types of drug related offenses.The difference between legalization and decriminalization will also be explored. Then which of these two approaches is the most realistic will be decided. Finally another way of dealing with drug use in the future will be examined. Drugs and crime are related in many ways. It is a crime in America to possess, distribute or manufacture drugs. The definition of drugs are any illegal substance classified as being potential addictive or abusive to people. Drugs such as heroin, marijuana, amphetamines and cocaine are just some of the harmful and very addictive substances. Drugs alter a person’s behavior. Depending on the user it may cause violence. Sometimes this violence leads to illegal activity. A drug user’s only objective at times is to get money for drugs by any means necessary. Some of the drug related crimes are larceny, armed burglary, assault, motor vehicle theft, robbery, possession or sale of drugs and drunken law violations. Gangs are majorly affiliated with drugs. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Arrestee Drug Abuse monitoring program measures drug use among arrestees with positive urine tests for drug use (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009). Data is collected voluntarily and anonymously at the time of arrest in jails. Data from males arrested showed that 42.5 to 78.7 percent tested positive for drugs (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009). Female who tested positive for drugs ranged from 33.3 to 82.1 percent (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009). Males arrested charged with drug possession or sales were among the most likely to test positive for drug use, while female arrestees charged with prostitution, drug possession or sales were among the most likely to show a positive test result In 1997 the U.S. bureau of the census conducted surveys of state and federal prisons. About 22.4 to 32.6 percent of inmates arrested reported being under the influence of drugs at the time of their offense, 20 to 27 percent stated that they committed their crime to obtain money to buy drugs (Gargaro, 1999). The increase in the lethal weapons on the street has also contributed to drug violence. Out of 14,088 homicides in 1998 4.8 percent were drug related accorded to FBI crime stats (Gargaro, 1999). Guns, knives, and other weapons are used in armed robberies, enforcing drug deals, and for respect on the streets. Weapons and drugs are two entities that are found together. Liberals and conservative individuals argue that legalizing drugs is the only way to win the war against drugs. Alcohol and cigarettes are very addictive, many people suffer and even die behind the use of these drugs, but they are legal. It is the individuals’ choice to take drugs which may destroy him or her body. So why not legalize drugs. The government has the power to control the drug market and implement new laws so that cigarettes and alcohol couldn’t be sold to minors. Why not do the same for all drugs? If the government makes laws that would tax drugs heavily, users would have no choice but to spend their money. This would boost the economy. Drug dealers would suffer and crime most likely would drop. But realistically if the legalization of drugs were to happen, our country would have to focus more on educating our children on the dangers of drugs. Children would probably think it is okay to take drugs. Decriminalization is the reduction or abolition of criminal penalties in relation to certain acts. Decriminalization is a more realistic approach towards the drug problems in America. Some states have decriminalized marijuana. New York being one, for example, gives lighter sentences or modest fines to criminals arrested with small amounts of marijuana. If the country would do away with mandatory sentences this would reduce the economic burden placed on American citizens by reducing the amount of money spent on the court procedures and actual jail prison times. Another reason to legalize drugs is the gang affiliation. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (2009): Gang members are the primary retail-level distributors of most illicit drugs. They also are increasingly distributing wholesale-level quantities of marijuana and cocaine in most urban and suburban communities. Some gangs traffic illicit drugs at the regional and national levels; several are capable of competing with U.S.-based Mexican DTOs.   U.S.-based gang members illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border for the express purpose of smuggling illicit drugs and illegal aliens from Mexico into the United States. If drugs were legalized, gangs would lose their main supply of illegal money. The gangs would have to then resort to other criminal activity such as: Criminal gangs commit as much as 80 percent of the crime in many communities, according to law enforcement officials throughout the nation. Typical gang-related crimes include alien smuggling, armed robbery, assault, auto theft, drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, home invasions, identity theft, murder, and weapons trafficking. (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009) The taxes on the newly legal drugs could be used to fight gangs and drug addiction. The money put into the war on drugs can also be used in this manner as well. Drug offenses range from drug dealing to violent crimes committed under the influence. The problem has plagued society for generations. One solution is decriminalization. Legalization of drugs is like marijuana being used for medicinal purposes. Decriminalization is the legalization of currently illegal drugs, like meth or cocaine. If the decriminalization solution is used, then the money currently allotted for the drug war could be put to better use. Rehabilitation, fighting crime, and education would be a priority, instead of banning drugs Bibliography Gargaro, C. (1999). Drugs. Accessed 17 March 2009 from http://wwww.gargaro.com/drugs.html Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2009). Accessed 17 March 2009 from http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov Read More