What Effect Will Illegal Substance Decriminalization Have on Crime Rates?

The High Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use


The high prevalence of illicit drug use is a common characteristic of our modern culture. Heroin, morphine, cannabis, methamphetamine, and amphetamine are examples of certain drugs. Any of these substances are licensed for medicinal use; however, there have been instances of excessive use of these hard drugs in culture in recent times. According to a study conducted in Amercing, about 24 percent of its total population aged 12 and up were directly engaged in the use of illicit drugs. Medical researchers and psychologists have tended to emphasize the negative impact of illegal hard drug use on people's physical and mental health. There is a need to stress that in recent time there have been demands in certain sections of the US society for the legalization of these substances, (Starr, et at. 20-37). This study developed to negate such demands, the study, therefore, opines that the decriminalization of illegal substance will pose adverse effects on the crime rate in the society. The study will provide vivid arguments in support of its thesis and sum them up with the conclusion at the end.

Correlation between Crime Rates and Illegal Substance Use


In recent time there has been a striking correlation between crime rates and the use of illegal substance in the American society. The American Bureau of justices statistic points out that about 18 to 19 percent of the current prisoners in the United States federal and state prisons claim that they committed their offense in the bid to acquire funds to purchase illegal substance. This submission is valid based on medical proves that points out the rates at which people get addicted to hard drugs. Doctors and psychologists have shown that such substance possesses addictive ingredients such as nicotine and Barbiturates which make it impossible to resist. Hence when user of this hard drug experience financial downtimes, they don’t mind stealing or committing various degrees of crimes to satisfy their desire, (Markowitz)

Dangerous Chemicals and Effects on the Brain


These substances contain dangerous chemicals in excessive proportion and such chemicals could harm the body and reduce its functionalities. Experts in the field have pointed out that the brain is one of the most affected body parts that suffer the enormous adverse effects of substance abuse. These drugs could incapacity the brain and reduce its capacity to function optimally. When such situation occurs, the victim cannot longer carry out essential cognitive functions. Hence they become weak in academics; they become antisocial and excessively aggressive. Based on the realities faced by this group of people they have limited societal opportunities hence they result in crimes in a bid to make earn a living. Therefore the use of hard drugs is directly related to the high rates of violent crimes current perpetrated in the American society. There is need also to note that the utilization of these substances affects the minds of users, and most often they become depressed and highly driven with down syndrome most of these people end up committing suicide. Hence we can deduce that the high rates of suicide crimes in the American society are the resultant effects of the use of illegal substance in the country.

Relationship between Crime Rates and Substance Use


The American Bureau of crime statistics has over the years linked the high rates of the offenses committed in the US society to the consumption of illegal substance such as cocaine, heroin, etc. the institution points out that most of the homicide perpetrated in America is carried out by people under the influence of substances. They also indicated the American society is currently experiencing a surge in the rate of sexual abuse as a result of the excessive intake of hard drugs. The institution points out that over 55% of the sexual assault and rapes are carried out by people under the influence of hard drugs. The apex body also claims that 2 out of every 3 cases of armed robbery in American is perpetrated by heavy drug users. 35% of workplace crimes are carried out with the influence of narcotics, and about 57% of school crimes are resultant effects of substance abuse. Hence the Institute concludes that there is a positive correlation between the use of these substances and the heights of crime rates in the country. Therefore it is important to note that the United States currently has surging crimes rates that are directly related to the use of illegal substances. Hence the decriminalization of these substances will double the current crime rates in the American society such scenario will become a disaster. ("Bureau Of Justice Statistics, Drugs And Crime Facts: Drug Use And Crime")

Refuting Arguments and Conclusion


Based on the nature of the study there is need also look at the claims of counter argument that has been made in support of the decriminalization of illegal substance in the American society. It is believed that due to the high cost of these drugs the legalization of its sales can become a valid source of revenue for the US government. It is also believed that if the drugs are legalized, and the government can also impose a daily consumption rate then crime rates will not be adversely affected because individuals will use small quantities that will pose no adverse effect (Duke). There have also been claims the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal did not increase the usage such drugs, and hence it will have the same effects if adopted in the United States. (Szalavitz) There is need to refute these arguments by stating that the heights of losses associated with the use of these drugs far outweigh any form of economic benefits that could be associated with it. The use of drugs is clearly against the morals on which the American society is built hence we must discard any financial benefits it provides. There is need to also note that such substances are addictive and to will be unrealistic to monitor rates of usage in the American society. The Case of Portugal cannot be used as a basis for decisions for U.S.A both countries are based on different societal dynamics.

Conclusion


Present in our society today is the realities of heavy substance usage. It is used by a large proportion of the American population. There is need to note that in recent time there have Been increasing quest and demands of the decriminalization of the use of substances in the United States. The adoption of this notion will pose adverse effects on the society. We must not forget that apart for the medical challenges that are directly associated with the use of this drugs it increases the tendencies of stimulating the rates of crimes in the society. The study has been able to show a positive correlation between the substance use and rise of crime rates. Hence the study concludes that the proposal of the decriminalization of illegal substances should be refuted irrespective of all supporting claims. The demerits associated with this project override its merits.


Work Cited


“Bureau Of Justice Statistics, Drugs And Crime Facts: Drug Use And Crime”. Bjs.Gov, 2017,


https://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/duc.cfm.


Duke, Steven B. “How Drug Legalization Would Cut Crime”. Druglibrary.Org, 2017,


http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Misc/media2.htm.


Markowitz, Sara. “Alcohol, Drugs and Violent Crime.” National Bureau of Economic Research,


25 May 2005, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144818805000207


Starr, H. Lynn, et al. “Comparison of long-acting and oral antipsychotic treatment effects in


patients with schizophrenia, comorbid substance abuse, and a history of recent incarceration: An exploratory analysis of the PRIDE study.” Schizophrenia Research (2017).


Szalavitz, Maia. “Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews


– TIME.Com”. TIME.Com, 2009, http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html.

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