The Psychology Of Substance Abuse And Crime Criminology Essay
Because “drug use and criminality are very positively correlated,” this paper will illustrate and explain the connection of these substances to why people commit crime. Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction contribute to the largest portion of all crime, and this correlation is the leading culprit to induce crime. (Goode, 2012)
Although there is a common knowledge of drug and alcohol abuse, drug and alcohol abuse or addiction contributes to the largest portion of all crime, and this correlation is the foremost culprit to induce crime. (Goode, 2012)
Changing the Perception of Substance Abuse and Crime
While programs have the potential to offer drug addicts and alcoholics alternatives to this type of lifestyle which leads to crime, society’s perception has to align to legislation for effective innovation to occur.
Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act
(SACPA)
As a recent article from the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act shows, “In November 2000 the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA), implemented an alternative permitting eligible offenders to receive probation with drug treatment instead of probation or incarceration.) (qtd. in “Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 48(8), 654”).
Why SACPA Works
Indeed, drug rehabilitation works because the 70 percent of people who commit crime do not have the actus reus or mens rea to commit crime. The drug and alcohol abuse that leads to criminal acts is the culprit that inclined the offender to commit crime. SACPA has demonstrated through trial studies that sending addicts or alcoholics to prison does very little to rehabilitate the offender. Prison is intended for people that know they are committing the crime with intent to cause whatever harm they may cause. By removing the drug or alcohol addiction, through intervention programs gives the offender the opportunity to commit to change. It reduces the cost of incarceration...