W6 Drugs and Crime
.docx
School
American Military University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
CMRJ 303
Subject
Sociology
Date
Dec 22, 2024
Pages
3
Uploaded by vpeter0307
discuss/debate with your classmates your position on which factors you feel play a greater role pertaining to the problems associated with drugs and crime in the United States. Discuss with your classmates' possible solutions to the problems of illegal drug use and present a drug-control strategy that you believe would work. Defend your recommendations citing studies and/or other academic researchGood evening class,“All in all, the U.S. government is extremely worried about the Mexican situation because of the increasing violence that can spill over into the United States, which happens to be the target destination of illicit drug shipments.” (Mathis. 2024).The correlation between drugs and crime is complicated, with several variables contributing to the long-standing problem of drug-related crime in the United States. The criminalization of drugs and criminal activity connected to drugs are the two main factors that are important. The way in which these processes interact in society determines which is more important. The criminalization of drugs led to the implementation of anti-drug policies. Historically, the United States has approached drug offenses with a punitive mindset, emphasizing arrests and incarceration over treatment. Mass incarceration resulted from this, which disproportionately affected marginalized communities. Making drugs illegal fosters an underground market where conflicts are settled violently rather than through the legal system, which fuels organized crime and gun violence. Drug markets are frequently controlled by gangs or cartels, leading to violent crimes or drug war. According to Franko & Goyes (2023) the phrase"drug war" is frequently used in academic work, media reporting, and political speeches to characterize the situation in Mexico and abroad. The phrase is also used to describe the degree ofmilitarization present in the war on illegal drugs. Which brings us to the quote I used above from
our study this week, the U.S. government is worried because Mexico is the intended destination of illegal drug shipments. Prioritizing drug offenses over other crimes, like violent or property crimes, takes resources away from law enforcement and impedes efforts to find community-based solutions. Criminal activity and drugs go hand in hand in some cases. Drug abuse can affect one's judgment and result in crimes like stealing, assault, or drunk driving. Drug use or the desire to finance addiction are the reasons behind many crimes. People who are addicted to drugsfrequently turn to criminal activity in order to support their addiction.The criminalization of drugs may be more responsible for the persistence of drug-crime issues in the United States, even if both concerns are interrelated. The high rates of arrests and sentencing for low-income and minority groups contribute to structural injustices, damages society more broadly by fostering cycles of incarceration without addressing the underlying causes of addiction and by escalating violence in illegal drug markets. Possible solution is shifting to a model that focuses on regulation and harm reduction, expanding access to addiction treatment and mental health services and investing in community programs like education, job training and community development. A study by Gleditsch et al. (2022), offers support for strategies that aim to reduce crime through educational investment, particularly in developing nations where educational systems are underdeveloped.Why was the war on drugs considered a failure?Regards,nameReferences:
Franko, K., & Goyes, D. R. (2023). Drug Violence, War-Crime Distinction, and Hierarchies of Victimhood. Social & Legal Studies, 32(1), 75-95. https://doi-org.ezproxy2.apus.edu/10.1177/09646639221091226Gleditsch, K. S., Rivera, M., & Zárate-Tenorio, B. (2022). Can Education Reduce Violent Crime? Evidence from Mexico before and after the Drug War Onset. Journal of Development Studies, 58(2), 292–309. https://doi-org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/10.1080/00220388.2021.1971649Mathis, R. (2024).Drugs and Crime. Criminology. American Military University.