The Impact of Drugs on the criminal justice System The smuggling, distribution, and use of drugs in the United States have a considerable impact on the criminal justice system and its counterparts. Drug use has become one of the main factors for the increase in crime. Individuals that use drugs provide a demand for a product that is illegally marketed. In turn, the public demand for illegal drugs has influenced drug cartels to smuggle drugs into the United States to be sold to lower income and under developed communities. The distribution and use of drugs has led to an increase in arrest and conviction of individuals under economic strain.
Colombian and Mexican groups continue to smuggle cocaine to the United States at significant levels, and the result is an increase in the number of both drug distributors and drug users. In particular, gangs such as the Crips and Bloods, Dominicans, and Jamaicans are actively involved nationally in selling cocaine. These gangs are responsible for widespread cocaine-related violence. During the first 6 months of 1995, cocaine prices ranged from $10,500 to $36,000 per kilogram. The heroin market in the United States is dominated by high purity heroin from Southeast Asia.
The 21st century has been hit with extraordinary events that have ultimately led to the amendments and additions to several laws. Many believe that these new laws are unconstitutional and jeopardize the freedoms, which Americans enjoy. Furthermore, some may go to argue that the most unconstitutional laws are those against Marijuana. Behind tobacco and alcohol, Marijuana has been the most commonly used recreational drug in America for centuries (Morgan and Zimmer). Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction).
(NYC Economic Development Corporation) Hunts Point has suffered from crime and poverty for many years and is part of the poorest congressional district in the country, with over half the population living below the poverty line. The community is considered to be a ‘Red Light District’ in many cases for its crime and prostitution. The community’s 41st police precinct consistently records the highest violent crime rate per capita in New York City. As a result, the area has a high rate of incarceration. Due to the lucrative drug trade in the area, many drug addicts reside in the community.
Andres Torres Vermillion English 1 4/26/2012 Outline: Meth Abuse I. Introduction: A. Background: Methamphetamine is smoked with a pipe, or injected through the veins. It is a very addicting drug. Methamphetamine is one of Americas biggest enemy, it causes millions of tax payers money.
Over-medication has become one of the fastest growing problems throughout the modern society. The vast increase in the use of recreational and pharmaceutical drugs have been a result of the increased control by government and large industries. Brave New World is a dystopian novel, which explores the concept of the use of drugs and how the totalitarian government seized control of its people. Citizens in the novel use the drug, soma, in such large quantities as a way to escape the harsh realities of their everyday life. The obsession with drug use has greatly increased, in today’s modern world, as it allows for an easy solution to any situation.
Drug trafficking, heroin in particular, was the choice drug of law enforcement, people and gangsters alike. Heroin trafficking in the 1960s and 70s had great effects on pop culture, American culture and gang culture. Many things in pop culture have their roots in this time period. Most people, when listening to music, rap music especially, hear words and phrases that they do not understand. These words and phrases were commonly used during the 60s and 70s to describe certain aspects of the heroin trade.
Cocaine is another stimulant that often leads to dependence in users. It is derived from coca leaves, and was once a socially acceptable drug. Coca Cola used cocaine along with caffeine and sugar to produce one of western society’s most popular beverages (Rathus 113). Nicotine is yet another frequently abused stimulant prevalent in our time. Smoking is the primary causal factor for at least 30% of all cancer deaths, for nearly 80% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for early cardiovascular disease and deaths (Adhikari B., PhD, J Kahende, PhD, A Malarcher, PhD, T Pechacek, PhD, V Tong 1).
Prescription drugs has had an increase over the past couple of years, and is a type of drug that is abused more that the other drugs combined and is responsible for a large percentage of deaths. According to "Drug Free World " (2013), Prescription drug abuse causes the largest percentage of deaths from drug overdosing. Of the 22,400 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2005, opioid painkillers were the most commonly found drug, accounting for 38.2% of these deaths (Drug Free World, 2013). Prescription drugs are highly addictive and affect the consumer on all levels from emotional, physical, financial, and
Introduction Big Tobacco, the leading tobacco companies in the industry strategically exploits the marginalized groups to maximize their bottom line. The marginalized community, which includes society, most socially and economically challenge such as youths, the homeless, the mentally challenged, those with substance-abuse problems, anxiety and depression are at a tremendous disadvantage and the habit of smoking brings significant financial and health burden to these individuals. Research has shown that 25 percent of the United States adult population has some form of mental illness or substance abuse disorder, 65.2 percent of adult smokers also use alcohol and 44.3 percent of all tobacco sold in the United States is consumed by this marginalized