Police Stop And Search Are Ethnic Minorities Targe Essay

Critically assess the relationship between drug use and acquisitive crime with particular reference to key research findings.

The relationship between drug use and acquisitive crime is a very complicated one Research has found an association between them but has not established a direct causal link between the two, As a result of media and previous government approaches, there is a popular belief that crime and problematic substance use are causally related. In other words, use of alcohol or other drugs causes crime to occur, or crime causes substance use. However, there is little evidence available that would make it possible to demonstrate and quantify this connection (Alberta Health Services–Addiction and Mental Health. (2009).Challenging assumptions).This literature provides an analysis of the various perspectives on the association between crime and substance use, this literature will be analysing Goldstein’s tripartite framework (1985) classifications of the relationship between drug use and acquisitive crime. The drug –crime link dates back to the 1915 and 1916 where several stories emerged linking servicemen with the use of drugs. Most famously, Canadian soldiers based in Folkestone were found to be using cocaine supplied by the petty criminal, Horace Kingsley, and a London prostitute, this triangle of crime-prostitution-corruption was linked to the further threat of outsiders (Tim Newbury(2005)handbook of policing.3rd edition:willan publishing). The web definition of acquisitive crime comprises of the home office categories of theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle, vehicle interference, and theft of a pedal cycle, theft from a person or robbery of personal property. (www.Cleveland.police .uk).Acquisitive crime can also be defined as offences where the offender derives material gain e.g. shoplifting, fraud, theft or drug trafficking numerous acquisitive crimes committed by drug users are opportunistic, some require more skill and others involve some...