Drug Abuse And Its Effects On The Criminal Justice System

Despite all of the efforts put fourth in attempting to better educate and stop drug use in America studies show that drug use by juveniles has substantially increased within recent years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) juveniles as young as eighth grade are using drugs such as marijuana on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most of these juveniles have also experimented with alcohol at this age as a gateway drug to start using marijuana and so forth. (NIDA) There are many aspects that could impact why children so young are getting access to these drugs. The NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow states that, â€Å"Marijuana use not only places teens at risk of addiction but also impairs their memory, judgment, and ability to learn.† These drugs are now so easily accessible at such a vulnerable and impressionable age that it could have devastating impacts on the juvenile’s future in the criminal justice system. Important factors that go alongside in drug abus e with juveniles would be peer pressure, family factors, and lastly emotional problems they are experiencing in their young years of life. Peer pressure is very common within the school systems. It is something that almost all juveniles will deal with at some point in their life. The juveniles may have other factors involved such as weak family support that affect them in their decision-making process or deciding what is right or wrong. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, INC.Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Drug Abuse On A Criminal Justice System2212 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Æ' 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 relationshipsRead MoreEconomic Impacts Of Drug Abuse1013 Words   |  5 PagesEconomic Impacts of Drug Abuse in the United States Drug abuse is a major public health issue that impacts society both directly and indirectly; every person, every community is somehow affected by drug abuse and addiction and this economic burden is not exclusive to those who use substance, it inevitably impacts those who don t. Drugs impact our society in various ways including but not limited to lost earnings, health care expenditures, costs associated with crime, accidents, and deaths. The useRead MoreDrug Abuse Effects1320 Words   |  6 PagesDrug abuse is a major public health issue that impacts society both directly and indirectly; every person, every community is somehow affected by drug abuse and addiction and this economic burden is not exclusive to those who use substance, it inevitably impacts those who dont. Drugs impact our society in various ways including but not limited to lost earnings, health care expenditures, costs associated with crime, accidents, and deaths. The use of licit or illicit drugs long term, causes millionsRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse : Drug And Free World1508 Words   |  7 Pagesaged 12 to 17 abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) A 2007 survey in the United States found that 3.3% of 12 to 17 years olds and 6% of 17 to 25 year olds had abused prescription drugs in the past month (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) Prescription drug abuse causes the largest percentage of deaths from drug overdoses (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse StatisticsRead MoreShould Drugs Be Legalized? Essay1203 Words   |  5 Pageslegalization of drugs is among the most polarizing issues faced by the US government today. The increase in organized crime related to drug trafficking has forced authorities to reevaluate their stance on their legalization issue, and yet there are those in the civil society th at oppose such legalization vehemently. Though there is evidence that many of the banned and scheduled substances can be attributed to a range of health benefits and treatment of diseases, the American experience with drugs has beenRead MoreThe Effect Of Drugs On Juveniles961 Words   |  4 Pages The Effects of Drugs on Juveniles The growth of juveniles using and selling drugs has expanded tremendously over the years. The use of drugs by juveniles has affected juveniles academically, in relationships, health, and the rise in delinquency. Juveniles experimenting drugs often lead to long term use, and is often used in adulthood. It has been found through studies, that the rise in juveniles and drugs have significantly grown more rapidly than the rise in adults. Crime rates has risenRead MoreDrug Addiction Treatment Vs. Incarceration966 Words   |  4 PagesDrug Addiction Treatment vs. Incarceration: Gaining Insight Regarding the Facts Drug addiction is most often defined as a chronic progressive relapsing cycle in which an individual experiences excessive compulsions in using a mood altering substance despite the consequences associated with the drug. Drug addiction is also considered a disease that affects the brain; which results in a chemical imbalance caused by the abuse of illegal substances. The effects of drug usage can cause long term brainRead MoreThe Effects Of Residential Schools On Disadvantaged Backgrounds855 Words   |  4 PagesAboriginal people make up 4.4% of all Canadians, yet account for 22% of individuals in provincial and territorial prisons. (King Winterdyk, 2010, p. 56). I believe they are over-represented in the criminal justice system due to their disadvantaged backgrounds. This paper will discuss the effects of residential schools, as well as how inconsistent parenting contributes to this sad reality. When the Canadian government set up residential schools in the 1870’s, they took away a major component ofRead MoreThe Problem Of The Criminal Justice System930 Words   |  4 Pagescomponents that contribute to crime. There are a variety of known factors that play a role, such as physical, sexual and substance abuse, poverty, lack of education and mental health. Solutions needs to be found for each different factor. When considering our nations criminal justice system, it is vital that we focus more on providing mental health care, education, drug treatment, and counseling, rather than forcing all delinquents into jails and prisons. Imposing a life of loneliness, separation,Read MoreGender Inequality Within The Criminal Justice System974 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many disparities within the criminal justice system that can be recognized. One of the most commonly researched disparities is with race and ethnicity. However, there is another disparity that, while just as i mportant, may be less recognized. This disparity is gender. For many years, criminologists have developed theories as to why females commit crime dating back to 1895. One more recent theory of crime is Sampson and Laub’s life course theory. This theory argues that the events that occur