Links between drugs and crime

Intuitively links exist between drug use and crime, but what are they?

Crime Crime is an intentional act or omission, in violation of criminal law (statutory or case law) committed without defense or justification and sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor.

Intentional act or omission Mens rea Actus reus

In violation of criminal law Statutory law Case law

Committed without defense of justification: Insanity Infancy Intoxication Consent Duress Necessity Entrapment

Sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor. Mala in se Mala prohibita

Drugs and crime How are the two linked?

Behaviors that are defined as criminal Possesion Distribution Manufacture Possession with intent to distribute Selling to a mimor

Pharmacological violence Pharmacological violence model suggests that some individuals, as a result of long or short term ingestion of some specific substance become excitable, irrational and may exhibit violent behavior. The most relevant substances are alcohol, stimulants, barbiturates and PCP.

Economic compulsive crime This model suggests that some drug users engage in economically- oriented crime e.g. robbery or prostitution to support drug usage.

Systemic violence In the systemic model, violence is intrinsic to involvement with the illicit substance. Systemic violence refers to the traditionally aggressive patterns of interaction within the system of drug distribution and use. Systemic violence may include: Disputes over territory between rival drug dealers.

Assaults and homicides committed within dealing hierarchies as a means of enforcing normative codes. Robberies of drug dealers and the usually violent retaliation by the dealer or his/her bosses. Elimination of informers.

Punishment for selling adulterated or phony drugs. Punishment for failing to pay one’s debts. Disputes over drugs or drug paraphernalia. Robbery violence related to the social ecology of drug activity.

Making, distributing and selling drugs illegally is a business. Victimless crime? Links between drugs and crime remain unclear.