Premium Essay

Ineffective Treatment of Addiction Through the Criminal Justice System

In:

Submitted By mesmerized2010
Words 1717
Pages 7
Ineffective Treatment of Addiction through the Criminal Justice System
According to a recent survey, nearly “two-thirds of people polled support treatment over incarceration (Pew ResearchCenter for the People & the Press, 2014).” While a staggering “sixty-three percent favor doing away with minimum mandatory sentencing” altogether (Pew, 2014). This is extremely significant as it shows that a fundamental shift is occurring. For decades, our primary source of information concerning addiction has been our U.S. Government. Their strong emphasis on the purported “War on Drugs” has led to mass corruption on their part while simultaneously taking an active role in legislating zero-tolerance mandatory minimum sentencing. The recent Pew Poll is a prime example that the majority of Americans have seen the ineffectiveness behind our current policies. As more and more research is released on the subject of addiction, it is becoming increasingly obvious that a solely criminal approach is undeniably ineffective and in some regards, inhumane. Ineffective treatment of addicts has created; over-crowding on our criminal justice system, inexcusable financial hardships on our society, and is a major factor behind the revolving door syndrome.
A quick look at the current state of our prisons can be rather glaring. The U.S. currently houses approximately 2.3 million inmates. Out of this number approximately 1.5 million have been medically diagnosed with severe substance abuse issues with an additional half million listed as having extensive histories with drugs prior to their incarceration (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 1998). The number of people currently locked up in U.S. detention centers and prisons is rather staggering. We lead the world in the amount of people in jails and prisons (CBS Chicago, 2014). This is of course is no small fete as there are

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Drug Courts

...Drug courts combine treatment with incentives and sanctions. Sanctions can and do include mandatory, as well as, random drug testing of the offender. Drug courts are a proven tool for improving public health as well as public safety. They provide an innovative way for collaboration between the judiciary, prosecutors, law enforcement and other community corrections agencies, drug treatment providers and community support groups. The effectiveness of these courts is well documented since they first started operating in the United States 20 years ago. In a time of limited resources for local and state budgets, drug courts offer a cost effective way to increase the chances for the nonviolent offender to achieve sustained recovery, thereby reducing recidivism for the offender. The drug court movement began in the 1980s as a response to the growing number of drug cases brought before the court. Law enforcement and corrections agencies policies alone were not having the effect on the drug trade that proponents of the war on drugs had hoped for. An administrative order from the chief judge of Florida’s Eleventh Circuit in 1989 implemented the first drug court in the United States. (Engen, & Steen (2000). The responsibility of the prosecuting attorney is to protect the public’s safety by ensuring that each candidate is appropriate for the program and complies with all drug court requirements. The responsibility of the defense counsel is to protect the participant’s due process rights...

Words: 2116 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Drug Court

...American court system is overflowed with people that suffer from substance abuse. For example drug and/or alcohol related crimes have been implicated in violent crimes, instances of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect cases. Therefore, drug court has come in to offer people arrested for substances abuse related crimes and opportunity to receive community-based treatment with judicial supervision to avoid potential incarceration. For this reason drug court has changed people’s lives in a variety of ways, which are often overlooked, are the positive impact on families and society. Overall, substance abuse offenders have a recurring problem for the criminal justice system as a result drug courts are an important strategy to reduce incarceration, provide drug treatment and reduce recidivism among nonviolent offenders. Another key point is research study by the National Institute of Justice in 2009 called the Multi-Site Adult Drug Court Evaluation confirmed that Drug Courts reduced crime and substance abuse, improved family relationships, and also increasing employment and school enrollment. (Marlowe, 2010) Another key point is drug courts have affected the offender’s criminal behavior and substance use with mandated drug and alcohol treatment. Henceforth drug courts has been a popular diversion program for drug offenders since it’s began in Dade County Florida in 1989. Overview Drug courts represent the criminal justice approach to ensure public safety through close supervision...

Words: 1915 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Heroin Abuse: Annotated Bibliography

...increased availability (CDC, 2017). To prevent heroin addiction from forming, it has been instructed that health professionals revise when and how much opioid pain prescriptions are prescribed to patients (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2016). To prevent the scope of the heroin epidemic in the Northern Shenandoah Valley there are drug collection units throughout, including in Winchester and Berryville (NSVAC, 2016). The goal is to decrease the availability of unused prescription pain medication. This may prevent opioid abuse from beginning in teenagers and young...

Words: 1201 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Arm Trade and Drug Trafficking

...drug abuse is increasing, overdose deaths are at record levels, heroin and cocaine are cheaper, more pure and more available than ever before, and health problems related to drugs, especially the spread of HIV/AIDS are mounting. Meanwhile an expensive and ineffective international counter narcotics policy entails growing human rights and environmental costs. Drug problems can be reduced at less cost if we change course and adopt strategies that work. At a time when the federal budget is limited programs need to be re-evaluated. Funding needs to go to programs that work. We need new ideas to save lives – we can't afford to continue to be wrong. Below are eight steps that are effective methods of controlling drugs and reducing drug-related harms. (To download a copy of this as a PDF, click here.) 1. Shift Resources Into Programs That Work 2. Make Treatment Available on Request Like Any Other Health Service 3. Prevent Drug Abuse By Investing in American Youth and Providing Them with Accurate Information 4. Focus Law Enforcement Resources on the Most Dangerous and Violent Criminals 5. International Drug Control Efforts Should Be Demilitarized and Focus on Economic Development 6. Restore Justice to the US Justice System 7. Respect State's Rights and Allow New Approaches to Be Tried 8. Make Prevention of HIV and Other Blood Borne Diseases a Top Priority Shift Resources Into Programs That Work: US drug control strategy has been approached primarily as a law...

Words: 1345 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Racial Disparity in Us Prisons

...Racial disparity in u.s prisons MBOGO .W. APOLLO (MOI). Professor: Institution affiliated Date: Racial disparity in prisons in America can be conceptualized as a situation where the population of a specific group of people is the most in the criminal justice system as compared to the general population. Prisons in U.S.A are a significant constituent of the criminal justice system. The main function of the American prisons is to protect society from violation of law, to rehabilitate also punish the law breakers in order to assist them to be responsible members of the society. The prisons in the state continue to grow in order to meet the demands of the correctional and the criminal justice system in general. However, the trend in the justice system, especially in the prisons, is characterized by ethnic disparity. This normally compromises the level of justice dispensation. It has been a controversial issue for several decades among the prisons in the state. Some individuals seem to defy the concept of existence of disparity in the justice system. They believe that it does not exist. For instance, statistics that were presented by Marc Mauer proved that if the argument that there existed racial discrimination in the prisons, then the extraordinary rise in the American prisons in the past three decades would be explained in six fold increase. This to him would eventually lead to incarceration of two million Americans. For instance, “one in every eight African –American...

Words: 1830 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Future of the Juvenile Justice System Proposal

...Future of the Juvenile Justice System Proposal Gina Tompkins, Marcus Hall, Terri Washington, Victor Jones CJA 374 November 24, 2013 Bruce Clingan Future of the Juvenile Justice System Proposal The juvenile justice system is designed to correct and change the behavior of juvenile offenders. Change in behavior is an indication the system is working. If there is no change, the system is deemed ineffective and a team of juvenile justice consultants are called in to make corrections. In reality, this team is composed of four state officials whose sole purpose is to develop a proposal to present to the state legislature for recommendations of adjustments to the juvenile justice system. This team of consultants is creating these recommendations including all aspects of community, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and the private sector or privatization involvement. The community should be involved in the future of the juvenile justice system along with funding, awareness, and assistance from the state. Characteristics of the Golden Program and the Reclaiming Futures Program The recommendation to the state legislature is to improve the juvenile justice system by introducing proven ways of enhancing community involvement through community-based programs such as the Golden Program and the Reclaiming Futures Program. One proven way to improve effectiveness according to Nissen (2007), is a program named Golden (the integrated care network) that involves court personnel...

Words: 2603 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Methadone for Heroin Addiction

...Southwestern Assemblies of God University School of Distance Education Methadone Treatment Programs are Effective in Stopping Heroin Use A Paper Presented to Professor Loyd Uglow, Ph.D In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Course THE 5113 Research Literature and Technology Sharon Pete November 28, 2012 THESIS STATEMENT: To investigate Methadone maintenance is found to be more effective in treating heroin addiction than 180 day detoxification. The objective is how methadone maintenance, a widely used but controversial method of weaning heroin addicts off the drug—with counseling has psychosocially enriched 180 day methadone assisted detoxification. OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION A. History of Heroin B. History of withdrawals II. How Methadone is used to treat Heroin? III. Research Findings IV. CONCLUSION V. Work Cited Methadone Treatment Programs are Effective in Stopping Heroin Use Substitution treatment or maintenance pharmacotherapy programs using methadone are today the most sought after and effective form of treatment for opiate addiction and dependence. Because methadone is a long-acting opiate whose dosage can be stabilized, it is well suited for daily administration and has proven effective in the elimination of narcotic craving, a driving force behind continued heroin use. And, because it can be administered orally, methadone dramatically reduces heroin injecting frequency...

Words: 3771 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Racism

...His/her Name Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name Customer Inserts Grade Course (06, 07, 2012) Racism in criminal justice system Introduction Justice is a term that we hear a lot in our everyday life and also accept it although many of us might have a doubt as to what it truly means. Justice is the phenomenon through which we could achieve righteousness and equality. But unfortunately racism has been a common practice in the criminal justice system. Racism is actually discrimination against a group or individual based on color, social and financial status. It is something that occurs more than we notice. Many scholars believe that racism play a more important role in targeting and sentencing process in the criminal justice system and this is something which should not happen in any country no matter what. In order to understand the role that racism plays in the criminal justice system we must, first, look at the role that it plays before the criminal reaches the day of sentencing in the court. There are various publications that speak on profiling and actuarial methods which unwillingly get people into the system. Though these are two major components of the discriminatory acts that exist within the criminal justice system, it does not actually begin with these institutionalized methods. It is the laws and crime control policies that create discrimination in the system. It has been witnessed that in some instances these laws and policies are set in favor of the white people...

Words: 5548 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Criminal Justice Problems

...Problems within the Criminal Justice System In the United States Abstract: This research paper explores some problems faced within the criminal system justice in the United States. Larry J. Siegel’s book “Criminology” gives us a history of the criminal justice system, how it operates, and some of the problems we experience with this system. Some of the problems detailed in this paper include the right to equal justice; which he explained the different kind of judgment that people receive based on their race, gender and class, the criminal justice system spends more money on criminals instead of improving technology for the police apprehending them, the criminal justice system lacks of sentencing disparity, reliance on eyewitness and modern technology can lead to conviction of innocent citizen, and finally the rehabilitation model which is set up to educate criminals and eventually let them free because of the belief that they are changed people and have been rehabilitated. According to the definition from the text “Criminology”, the term criminal justice system refers to “the components of government charged with enforcing law, adjudicating criminals, and correcting criminal conduct” (Siegel, 2009, p. 558). According to Siegel, the criminal justice system is essentially “an instrument of social control: society considers some behaviors so dangerous and destructive that it either strictly controls their occurrence...

Words: 4821 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Psy 425 Entire Course Discussion Questions

...PSY 425 Entire Course Discussion Questions Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwaid.com/shop/chemical-dependency-in-the-workplace/       Week Four Discussion Questions Week 1 DQ 1 How does drug abuse affect the work place?             Substance abuse affects the workplace in a variety of ways. Whether it be illegal narcotics, prescription drugs, or alcohol the affects are all similar. These types of substances can impair an individual’s judgment and can cause serious safety issues among other things. These are some of the problems inherent from substance abuse in the workplace: 1. More absenteeism and tardiness can be expected along with job-related accidents. 2. Businesses lose money each year because of substance abuse. 3. Employees who use drugs in the workplace are less productive than non-users. 4. Thefts rise along with damaged equipment and other unnecessary costs. 5. Non-users may have to work harder to make up for the problem employees (Dfaf, 2008). Larger corporations have a better handle on drug issues as they have established drug policies in effect and many of these corporations implement random drug tests. Smaller businesses are affected the most as they do not have established drug policies, usually do not require drug testing, and do not have the financial reserves to cover company related accidents. I have personally seen a few individuals lose their jobs because of drug abuse. One recently was an employee in his mid 20’s. Someone...

Words: 2706 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Reducing Organized Crime

...products and services is the largest problem organized crime has established. Since the Havana conference of 1946, drugs have been an extremely profitable business for organized crime. The drug industry is not the only illicit or illegal product available through organized crime. Prostitution and gambling are among the recreational services and products offered by organized crime. Problems from prostitution can range from an outbreak of sexually transmitted diseases to ruining marriages in the local area. Gambling can cause those addicted to spend all of their money at the casinos. Instituted street tax or protection tax can bankrupt local businesses. The cost of the tax is incredible. The only thing that hurts the business more than paying the street tax is not paying the street tax. Organized crime will make an example of any business that does not pay the street tax. The destruction caused by not paying the tax is difficult to deal with. Even if the business follows legal routes to fix the damage, organized crime is still causing damage to the economy. When the shop files an insurance claim, the insurance company will increase insurance premiums. Organized crime has infiltrated the legal and justice systems. Having judges on pay-role, premium lawyers, and other...

Words: 1327 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Drug Use in the Philippines

...drug ratings in the Philippines Background study drug addiction and drug abuse, chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. Traditional definitions of addiction, with their criteria of physical dependence and withdrawal (and often an underlying tenor of depravity and sin) have been modified with increased understanding; with the introduction of new drugs, such as cocaine, that are psychologically or neuropsychologically addicting; and with the realization that its stereotypical application to opiate-drug users was invalid because many of them remain occasional users with no physical dependence. Addiction is more often now defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society and includes both licit and illicit drugs, and the term "substance abuse" is now frequently used because of the broad range of substances (including alcohol and inhalants) that can fit the addictive profile. Psychological dependence is the subjective feeling that the user needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being; physical dependence is characterized by tolerance (the need for increasingly larger doses in order to achieve the initial effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the user is abstinent. INTRODUCTION    Illegal drug use is “almost automatically”([1]) associated with criminal behaviour.  The statistical relationship between illegal...

Words: 8936 - Pages: 36

Premium Essay

Drug Abuse

...DRUG ABUSE AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE DRUG ABUSERS IN ASIAN COUNTRIES AN ANALYSIS OF INNOVATIVE MEASURES FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSERS PREFACE Crimes related to drug abuse and the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of drugs are serious problems for virtually every country. The abuse of drugs has an adverse impact, not only on the individual abuser, but also on the economy and society of a country as a whole. Drug use and the problems that accompany it have an extremely deleterious effect on the healthy development of young people, especially. Due to the rapid increase in drug related crime and drug abusers in Asian countries, the establishment of effective countermeasures for demand and supply reduction are a pressing issue. In light of the above-mentioned situation, the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI); and the Research Division of the Research and Training Institute, Ministry of Justice jointly conducted a comprehensive study on drug abuser treatment, from 2002 to 2004, entitled “Research on the Trends in Drug Abuse and Effective Measures for the Treatment of the Drug Abusers in Asian Countries - An Analysis of Innovative Measures for the Treatment of Drug Abusers”. The Asian countries included in the study are: China (Hong Kong), Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. This is the first phase of the study on drug abuser treatment; the second phase, which begun last year...

Words: 122547 - Pages: 491

Free Essay

Juvenile Re-Entry

... PSF 5372 – History of the Juvenile Criminal Justice System Abstract This paper explores the transformation of the Juvenile Justice System over the past century and how it impacts today’s youth. Juvenile delinquency has become a well-known phenomenon as youth have taken experimentation and violence to a new level. More adolescents are being diagnosed with medical disorders while many find themselves not having the means to access the proper treatment. Family and moral standards are not as they were a century ago and the economic strain of today can make it difficult for children to develop the necessary skills to transition through their developmental stages. Chaos, confusion and loss of identity play a significant role in many of the adolescents that find themselves in contact with the Juvenile Justice System. New interventions for these adolescents are greatly needed to improve not only their own well being, but to create a prosperous community. Juvenile Reentry Juveniles are released from institutions across the country everyday, but many do not have the knowledge required to make permanent changes for themselves, their families, and their communities. The first Juvenile Court in the United States was established in Cook County, Illinois in 1899 and within 25 years all but two states had established separate juvenile justice systems. The Juvenile Court of Chicago became the model for the various state juvenile justice systems that followed it. “This doctrine was used...

Words: 4250 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Professional Regulation and Criminal Liability

...Professional Regulation and Criminal Liability July 16, 2015 HCS/430 Professional Regulation and Criminal Liability: Pharmacists A profession is “an occupation based on the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which the practice of an art is used in the services of others” (Schmitz & Martin, 2008, p. 1). Belonging to a certain profession requires one to agree to demonstrate integrity, selflessness, competency as well as morality. This becomes the foundation on which the medical profession gets autonomy of practice from the society and a chance to experience self-regulation. Pharmacy is one of the medical professions whose practitioners help people to utilize medications to the best. It is notable that since professionals own specialized knowledge which the client does not have, the possibility of the professional exploiting the client exists. It is however important to note that such exploitation leads to very severe consequences since it has violated the guiding regulations for pharmacists. While executing the duties of a pharmacist, it is possible to make mistakes that have serious consequences. There are a number of ways in which professional misconduct among pharmacists can be handled. The Board of Pharmacy may take action against the pharmacists where a hearing is made before any disciplinary action is taken. The violation of regulations may also be presented before a civil court or before a criminal court. In case of a compliant...

Words: 1740 - Pages: 7