Drugs and Crime

Drugs and Crime Essay

Intro:

• Criminality and substance use have been long linked
• "Undeniably, there is a strong association between illicit drug use and criminal activity, which appears to be consistent across much of the empirical literature with regard to the relationship between drug use and crime" (Moore t et al 2007)
• However, the relationship between drug use and crime is complex and difficult to establish
• Do drugs lead to criminal activity or is it the other way around?
• The majority of drug users can mangage their substance use and 'grow out' of any harmful drug taking
• However, many individuals use to excess and commit crimes, and the two factors are linked.
• Studies have shown that stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine could play a contributing role in violent behaviour. 
• On the other hand, most real world studies show this relationship is exceedly complex and its moderated by a host of factors in the individual and environment 
• Sociological factors may help to explain why someone turns to drugs and engages in criminal behaviour such as living conditions, family employment, marital status and mental health
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