The Effects Of Drug Abuse On A Criminal Justice System

Abstract Drug abuse is a social problem America has faced for years that is continuing to get worse as the years go by. Drug abuse has a negative effect on many different individuals, families, friends, and society as a whole. Drug use is frequently tied into crime and incarceration. Looking into ways to lower the possibility of inmates returning to drugs and incarceration can help lower the abuse of drugs for the entire society. Lowering the use of drug abuse can help heal people and their relationships along with lowering the crime rates in America. Keywords: substance abuse, drug abuse, drug treatment The Evaluation of Drug Abuse Treatment in a Criminal Justice System Introduction Substance abuse is a social problem faced by†¦show more content†¦When an individual has a substance abuse problem it affects not only that person but everyone around them. The person who is abusing the drugs is causing physical harm to their bodies while causing emotional harm to family and friends. People using drugs are almost always associated with violent crime, robbery and burglary and other forms of crime. The social effect of drug abuse will be a higher crime rate, declining health, and depression for friends and family. It is evident that the need of a closer analysis of drug use in our society can no longer be ignored. Prevalence The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is charged with reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. Every year, SAMHSA releases the annual results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The 2014 results showed 27 million people aged 12 or older used an illicit drug in the past 30 days, about 10.2 percent of Americans, higher than the previous twelve years. Literature Review Drugs are any chemical substances that alters the body’s biochemical reactions to produce a desired effect. A drug is considered to be abused when it is not used according to the directions of a qualified pharmacist or medical practitioner. There are three commonly encountered classes of drugs