Drug Use and Normative Deviance - Article Example

Drug Use and Normative Deviance Drug use and resulting violent criminal behavior by adolescents has become more prevalent in recent times. It is a phenomenon that was not so widespread during the earlier part of this decade, but it has become more common. Adolescents are taking to illicit drug use which leads to later behavioral problems, especially deviant criminal behavior.(Anthony and Petronis, 1995). The widespread use of drugs, purportedly for recreational purposes, originated during the hippie era of the sixties, when it emerged in direct violation of the existing rules and norms of society at that time. This kind of deviant behavior within the United States has evolved into widespread drug use by adolescents, which may be classified as deviant behavior along the normative perspective because it is still in violation of the largely Christian ethic that still governs the country. The normative definition of deviance refers to the rules or expectations for adolescent behavior that are shared by society, which are being openly flouted through the violent behavior generated by drug use. Simmons (1965) examines different norms and when the violation of norms would be considered deviant. Murders for example, break a legal norm that is based upon moral considerations. However drug use would constitute the violation of a social norm, especially in adolescents who will not be deemed to be old enough or responsible enough to handle the effects of drugs and could slip into deviant criminal behavior. The normative perspective is also relevant within a particular social context, because it provides an explanation for crime in particular groups or neighborhoods. As Wolfgang and Ferracuti (1967) point out, criminal behavior is more prevalent among African American individuals who are in low status occupations and who live in slum areas and they attribute this trend to the value systems that exist among this particular group. There is pressure from peers within this group on individuals to engage in criminal behavior in order to appear strong and in tune with the norms and values of the group. Many adolescents may resort to criminal behavior and drug use, even when they are not personally comfortable with such behavior, merely to be in sync with the rest of the group and the prevailing values and norms within that group at that particular time. The normative approach therefore lends itself well to an examination of drug use among adolescents, since drug use has been linked to criminal activity (NIJ, 1996). The normative perspective applied to deviant behavior is based upon a sociological viewpoint wherein the norms and rules that condition society at a particular period of time plays a significant role in Drug use: The recreational drug Ecstasy is also known as E, XTC or Essence, is widely used in the United States and Europe. Its chemical name is 3,4 methylenedioxymetham-phetamine or MDMA and it is one of the most widely used drugs among adolescents (Kelly, 2000:129-130). It is also known as the party drug because it is mostly used by young people in bars, dance clubs, private parties and the rave scene which consists of large, all night dance parties. However, as one study has shown, the use of ecstasy is not confined merely to rave situations, but is also used in a variety of settings involving entertainment such as social settings involving dance or music venues including rock concerts, private residences of entertainers and other categories of the public and bars in inner city neighborhoods, which in turn leads to criminal behavior.(Boeri et al, 2004). The use of illegal drugs has also been found to be associated with a greater incidence of risky sexual behavior. For example, studies have shown that users of drugs are more likely to have multiple partners, a factor that has been found to be linked to a higher level of sexual risk and especially in AIDS transmission. (Gorbach and Holmes, 2003). In a study that was conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice among male offenders in the Nebraska Correctional Services, separate analyses were conducted for four different categories of crimes (a)any crime (b) property crime (c) assault crimes and (d) drug dealing (NIJ, 1996). The study found that the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine was related to all the four types of offending. During months of drug use, the odds of committing a property crime increased 54% while the odds of committing an assault increased by 100%. When the results of this study are applied to the more vulnerable and impressionable groups of adolescents, it may be seen that there is likely to be a similar increase in the incidence of crime among this social group as well, after the use of illegal drugs. Similarly, Ludwig and Murray (1978) had also presented a paper on the strong correlation between drug addiction and criminal activity. When individuals become hooked on to a drug, they are prepared to go to any lengths in order to gain access to their daily fix of the drug, and this may also extend to criminal behavior in some instances. They have highlighted the importance of dealing with drug use as seriously deviant behavior since it could lead on to criminal activity. Another study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice (1998) examined drug related influences on criminal activity in gangs and at-risk youths in Colorado and Florida states. This study found that youth who were members of gangs showed a much higher likelihood of committing crimes and gang leaders in particular, were much more prone to commit serious crimes such as murder. As opposed to this, the rates of offending among the at risk youth were lower, thereby demonstrating clearly the impact of peer pressure as a factor leading individuals into criminal activity. Moreover, this study also showed that almost all criminal activity was associated with high levels of drug use and that drug use tended to function as a factor that released inhibitions in at risk youths, so that they were more willing to engage in illegal activity. This lends further support to the application of the normative perspective in relation to drug use which may be classed as deviant behavior because it leads to criminal activity. Adolescents in particular, may be a vulnerable group because they fall into patterns of drug use based upon the strong influence exerted by their peers. This may be particularly true in the case of African American adolescents as pointed out by Wolfgang and Ferracuti (1967), where the social context is such that deviant behavior including drug use and consequent criminal behavioral patterns are characteristic of this particular group. This places the non criminal individuals within these groups also at risk. While adolescents might not normally engage in criminal activity if they are alone, however the strong influence of peer pressures and the need to stay in syncs with the peer group may drive many individuals into criminal behavior. The instigating factor that generates such criminal activity is illicit drug use, especially the use of drugs in groups so that there is a release of inhibitions with a simultaneous need to gain approval within the group, which leads on to criminal activities. The Theory of differential association: This theory of deviance lends itself best to the normative perspective of deviance, since it is based upon the influence of the social context and the attractive nature of breaking existing social norms and rules.The theory of differential association was put forward by Edwin Sutherland (1947) He did not accept the then existing beliefs about crime and the classical and biological theories that offered an absolutist approach in dealing with criminal and deviant behavior. They viewed criminal activity as an act that was absolutely wrong and not to be condoned under any circumstances, irrespective of what was the cause of such behavior. Sutherland’s theory lends itself well to the treatment of individuals displaying deviant behavior in a humane fashion (Gaylord and Galliher, 1998:1). For example, where illicit drug use and concomitant criminal behavior is concerned, it is likely that in many instances rehabilitation and a cure from the drug addiction may be necessary before the root of the problem of criminal behavior can be attacked. This theory was rooted in the social context and postulated that criminal behavior was learned; the result of the messages provided by society to individuals. In explaining why a person becomes delinquent and displays criminal behavior, Sutherland offers the view that when society offers individuals a greater preponderance of messages that are favorable to the violation of the law as opposed to those that favor adherence to the law, then they are likely to gravitate towards criminal behavior. (Sutherland 1947). There are nine basic principles underlying Sutherland’s theory (Sutherland 1974:75-76): (a) All criminal behavior is learned. (b) This learning behavior occurs through communication and interaction with other individuals (c) Such individuals are generally a small intimate peer group, which the individual may belong to, so that behavior is learned through the personal interactions (d) The criminal learning process also includes criminal techniques, as well as motivation and rationalization of the crime (e) The specific motivation is derived from the definition of legal codes as being predominantly favorable or unfavorable. A neutral environment therefore neither fosters nor prevents criminal behavior (f) Differential association may vary in terms of its frequency, its intensity and the duration of criminal activity. (g) Learning criminal behavior is not strictly by imitation but involves all the other cognitive processes associated with learning (h) While general needs and values may exist which may stimulate or suppress criminal behavior, these are not the primary factors on the basis of which criminal behavior can be explained. For example, the need for money may be a factor that could lead to criminal activity, but it could also prompt honest labor to earn the same money. Hence, such needs and motives may emerge into criminal activity only if the relevant social prompting from the peer group is also a factor. On this basis therefore, Sutherland’s theory offers an explanation for deviance that is based upon the local, social context and organization within which an individual operates, therefore criminal activity may vary as a function of the differential group that the individual belongs to.(Sutherland 1947:77). This theory emphasizes the importance of the social context in motivating individuals to engage in criminal behavior. Application of the theory: The differential association theory offers a perfect explanation for the kind of drug induced violence that characterizes adolescent deviant behavior. Since taking drugs ha snow become a part of the party scene, the normally existing cautions that adolescents are likely to exercise will be dispelled in the company of their friends. They are not going to be inclined to resist taking drugs if all their friends are taking drugs within a party situation. Moreover, taking drugs gives these youngsters a high so they wish to circulate around town and engage in noisy, disruptive behavior. Under the influence of drugs, breaking the law becomes a more favorable proposition as opposed to keeping the law. It becomes even more attractive for individuals within the group and especially for gang members to reject society’s rules and norms and to demonstrate this antipathy by breaking the law that is intended to preserve order in that society. In the case of African American adolescents, this peer pressure may be especially strong since they may come from disadvantaged or lower socio-economic backgrounds, which make breaking the law a more attractive option than keeping it. Criminal behavior may be learned by the members in a gang, as they observe other members engaging in criminal activity and are taught the rules and means to go about it. While the motivation is to break the law and to gain approval within the social group the individual moves in, the individual also gains the necessary expertise in criminal behavior because members of his peer group are able to initiate him into a life of crime and teach him the techniques and tools he needs to employ to engage in such behavior. Gang related criminal behavior in particular, especially shows the characteristics that Sutherland has highlighted. Learning of criminal behavior takes place within these small peer groups, where the individual is indoctrinated to believe that breaking the law is more favorable behavior as opposed to keeping it. The learning that takes place is not from impersonal or outside sources but through a process of intense personal interaction that takes place within the group, where the individual learns by watching and observing others engaging in criminal and deviant behavior. As Sutherland states, the learning is not strictly by imitation, but is rather a more complex and intense process where the kinds of communications and interactions that occur within the group are significant factors influencing the extent to which the individual is able to pick up deviant behavioral patterns. While there may be needs and values fuelling such behavior, the choice between whether an individual will engage in deviant behavior or not may therefore be influenced to a significant extent by the peer group that he moves in. The individual’s cognitive and other skills that contribute to learning will all be engage din the process of learning criminal behavior and the individual will be largely influenced and led by the dominant beliefs within the small group he moves in. The process of learning is through intense communication and personal interaction. Sutherland’s theory is also applicable in the normative context because it does not focus strictly on the punishing of criminal behavior, rather it aims to understand the underlying causes so that they can be treated. In this case, finding solutions to the problem of drug use and improvement in the social conditions of youth are likely to produce a concomitant reduction in criminal activity, as obeying the law is made a more favorable option as compared to disobeying it. References: * Anthony, J. C. and Petronis, K. R, 1995. “Early onset drug use and risk of later drug problems”. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 40 (1), 9-15. * Boeri, Miriam Williams, Sterk, Claire E and Elifson, Kirk W, 2004. “Rolling beyond raves: ecstasy use outside the rave setting.” Journal of Drug Issues, 34(4):831-860 * Gaylord, Mark S and Galliher, John F, 1988. “The criminology of Edwin Sutherland” Transaction Inc * Gorbach PM, Holmes KK, 2003. Transmission of STIs/HIV at the partnership level: beyond individual level analyses. Journal of urban health; 80 (3): 15-25. * Kelly, Paul A, 2000. “Curbside consult: Does recreational ecstasy use cause long term cognitive problems?” Western Journal of Medicine, 173(2): 129-30 * Ludwig, Fink and Hyatt, Murray, P, 1978. “Drug use and Criminal behavior” Journal of Drug Addiction, 8(2): 139-47 * National Institute of Justice, 1996. “Adult Patterns of Criminal Behavior” [online] available at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles/Adultpat.txt * National Institute of Justice, 1998. “Criminal Behavior of Gang Members and at-risk youths.” [online] available at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/fs000190.pdf * Sutherland, Edwin, 1947. “Principles of Criminology” (4th edn) J.B. Lippincott Read More