Do stoners really murder people? Indepth look into drug crimes.

Posted by admin on September 3, 2008 in Drug Usage

Did you know that drug users are six times more likely to commit crimes than non-drug users? Maybe it is no mystery that drugs and crime are often related, but who exactly is doing what? Are the stoners committing murders? Are the crackheads stealing from the local grocery mart? Are the ecstasy-eating ravers stealing cars? Which drugs are most commonly connected with violent crimes, and what do we need to watch out for?

The number one drug problem in America is, you guessed it, Alcohol. This often abused, legal drug accounts for 50 % of the driving fatalities in the U.S (see other most abused drugs here). With 15 million Americans dependent on alcohol, and 90 billion dollars a year being spent on it (www.drug-statistics.com), this is a problem that affects you.

But this substance abuse accounts for more than just vehicular crimes, Alcohol is also most closely linked to violent crimes. In 1998, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that 3 million crimes that occur each year have been while under the influence of alcohol. Among domestic abuse cases, 3 out of 4 incidents involved alcohol.

If Alcohol is numero uno, who comes in at second? Not surprisingly, Marijuana. In fact, this is the most used illegal drug in the United States with nearly 69 million Americans over the age of 12 having tried it. Oddly enough, It is also the largest crop in California. (www.drug-statistics.com/marijuana.htm)

The irony here is that 75% of the drug related criminal charges connected to this drug are non-violent - possession and distribution. Although, Marijuana is often labeled the, “gateway drug” there is no conclusive evidence that its use leads to abuse of other drugs.

Out of the 60% of federal prisoners and 21% of state prisoners incarcerated for drug violations (U.S. gov’t statistics, 2000), over two-thirds had been trafficking cocaine or crack. That is why law enforcement agencies have described crack cocaine as being more directly linked to crimes of violence than any other drug.

The main connection between cocaine and crime stems from individual users stealing to support their habit (NDIC, 2001). This usually takes the form of burglary and robbery.

Not to be outdone are Methamphetamines. They too are directly related to violent crimes, particularly domestic violence, child abuse, aggravated assault, property damage and murder (NDIC, 2001). A study by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, showed that the violent crimes committed by Meth users skyrocketed to 6 million in 2004, from 2 million in 2002.

Theft, in many forms, is the most common type of crime committed to support heroin addiction. The process of raising cash through borrowing (cough) or begging for cash to buy the drug, gets this drug abuser in the most trouble. As a general rule, heroin users do not commit rapes, aggravated assaults, or other violent crimes, but homicides may result in larceny or robbery efforts gone awry. (NDIC, 2001)

The main crime linked with this ecstasy is the possession and distribution of it. As far as crimes other than charges related to possession, the most common charges occur as a result of the distribution process, which can be accompanied by violence, including drive-by shootings and aggravated assaults in extreme cases (Leinwood 2001, Criminal Behavior).

Other crime related drugs include: Rohypnol (”Roofies”), Ketamine (”Special K”), GHB, and OxyContin. The first three are directly related to violent crimes, particularly towards women. They are often called “date rape” drugs and are usually put in the drinks of unsuspecting victims. (ONDCP, 2002) OxyContin made this list because of its increasing popularity and crime connection. Crimes mostly commonly associated are usually non-violent ones and include burglary, larceny, and other property crimes to fund drug use. Several doctors, too, have been convicted for over-prescribing this highly addictive pill (Bradley 2004, Criminal Behavior).

It would be a misconception to think that all drug users are criminals or that all criminals are drug users. Just as it would be a mistake to assume that criminal behavior is solely based on drug use. What we do know is that there are certainly differences in the types of crimes associated with specific drugs, and we can concede that all drug addicts, no matter their criminal history, are in fact prisoners in one way or another.