




Facts
Drugs and crime: Non-narcotic drugs include cocaine, marijuana, PCP, amphetamines, and barbiturates. The relationship between use of these drugs and criminal behavior is difficult to determine because people who use them often also use narcotics. It is not always possible to disentangle the drugs' separate relationships to criminal activity. Despite these difficulties, research has made significant advances in understanding how non-narcotic drugs relate to crime. Cocaine. When researchers studied a sample of 1,725 adolescents nationwide, they found that cocaine use had a strong connection with crime. Only 1.3 percent of the adolescents reported using cocaine in the year preceding the interview. Yet the cocaine users were responsible for 60 percent of all minor thefts, 57 percent of felony thefts, 41 percent of all robberies, and 28 percent of felony assaults committed by the entire sample. In studies of youths with multiple charges for delinquent behavior and female crack-cocaine abusers, the subjects who reported using cocaine most frequently committed more property and violent crimes than subjects who used crack less frequently. Out of a sample of 254 seriously delinquent youths, 184 crack dealers (86% of whom used crack every day) were responsible for 45,563 property crimes (an average of 231 per user) during the year preceding the interview. In contrast, the seventy subjects who were not crack dealers and who used crack less frequently (approximately three times per week) averaged 135 property crimes per year. In addition, the heavy cocaine users averaged ten robberies per year, compared with one per year for the other subjects. Other Non-narcotic Drugs. People who use only one non-narcotic drug, such as amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, or PCP, do not have high crime rates. In contrast, people who use these drugs in combination frequently have high crime rates. Use of a single drug may be related to such offenses as disorderly conduct or driving while impaired, but single use is not associated with other types of crime. Marijuana. According to the 1999 ADAM report, marijuana remains a very popular drug among arrestees, particularly among young males between 15 and 20 years old. However, the use of marijuana is not connected with an increase in crime. The exceptions are sale of the drug and disorderly conduct or driving while impaired. Marijuana is often used in combination with other drugs. In such cases, it may be the other drugs' effects that play a role in criminal activity. Amphetamines. Studies of drug abusers in different ethnic groups report that amphetamine use is related to violent crime in some individuals. In the general population, however, research shows little or no relationship between amphetamine use and crime. The 2000 ADAM report indicated that arrestees who use methamphetamine live mostly in the western part of the United States, although they are increasingly found in midwestern states as well. In other locations, tests showed virtually no methamphetamine use among arrestees. hencyclidine (PCP). The relationship between PCP and violence is still somewhat unclear. In the 1970s and early 1980s, studies claimed a strong link between PCP use and violent behavior. However, these studies were seriously flawed. The current view is that PCP use may cause violent behavior in a small proportion of users. PCP is not included in the ADAM report because it is rarely detected among arrestees. In its creation process, due to the dangers of using ether to produce pure freebase cocaine, cocaine producers began to omit the step of removing the freebase cocaine precipitate from the ammonia mixture. Typically, filtration processes are also omitted. The end result of this process is that the cut, in addition to the ammonium salt (NH4Cl), remains in the freebase cocaine after the mixture is evaporated. The “rock” that is thus formed also contains a small amount of water. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is also preferred in preparing the freebase, for when commonly "cooked" the ratio is 50/50 to 40/60% cocaine/bicarbonate. This acts as a filler which extends the overall profitability of illicit sales. Crack cocaine may be reprocessed in small quantities with water (users refer to the resultant product as "cookback"). This removes the residual bicarbonate, and any adulterants or cuts that have been used in the previous handling of the cocaine and leaves a relatively pure, anhydrous cocaine base. When the rock is heated, this water boils, making a crackling sound (hence the onomatopoeic “crack”). Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for reasons of lowered stench and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make crack cocaine. Strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide, tend to hydrolyze some of the cocaine into non-psychoactive ecgonine. Rohypnol makes users very relaxed, confused, and "spaced-out." It can take away all inhibitions, making people do things they ordinarily wouldn't do. Enough rohypnol can make people pass out, and even slip into a coma if taken in combination with other drugs or in large doses. If your teen is giving a party: Plan in advance. Go over party plans with your teen. Encourage your teen to plan some organized group activities or games. Keep parties small. 10 to 15 teens for each adult. Make sure at least one adult is present at all times. Ask other parents to come over to help you if you need it. Set a guest list. The party should be for invited guests only. No "crashers" allowed. This will help avoid the "open party" situation. Set a time limit. Set starting and ending times for the party. Check local curfew laws to determine an ending time. Set party "rules." Discuss them with your teen before the party. Rules should include the following: No tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. No one can leave the party and then return. Lights are left on at all times. Certain rooms of the house are off-limits. Know your responsibilities. Remember, you are legally responsible for anything that happens to a minor who has been served alcohol or other drugs in your home. Help your child feel responsible for this as well. Guests who bring tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs to the party should be asked to leave. Be ready to call the parents of anyone who comes to the party intoxicated to make sure they get safely home. Be there, but not square. Pick out a spot where you can see what is going on without being in the way. You can also help serve snacks and beverages. |
Sobriety
Sobriety means the moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs. When an individual with an addiction problem enters drug rehabilitation, their main goal is to attain long term sobriety. Unfortunately, sometimes drug addicts and alcoholics find they are able to sustain short periods of sobriety followed by a drug or alcohol relapse. This is why attending a drug or alcohol rehab will help the individual maintain their focus on sobriety. Often, it is only by getting help that individuals with severe drug addiction problems are able to achieve lasting sobriety.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is what happens when a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol discontinues use. There are numerous symptoms that take place both physically and emotionally when an addicted individual stops using. Withdrawal can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Keep in mind; this only occurs if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug or alcohol. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal and its symptoms as well as recovery from drug addiction.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment offers intensive drug addiction help over a period of weeks or months. This form of treatment has some advantages over out-patient treatment, although it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, those who are responsible for caring for young children may be better suited to attendance at an out patient treatment program. Residential treatment offers a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment where individuals can confront their own drug addiction and associated issues, with the help of qualified staff. Therapy usually consists of a mixture of group counseling, individual counseling and an introduction to the principles of a drug recovery program.
Addict
An addict is an individual who has a compulsive urge to use drugs, to the point where they feel they have no effective choice but to continue use. An addict will continue their self destructive behaviors in order to feel good or to avoid
feeling bad. It can dominate their mind, and keep them coming back for more. The addiction can be
different for each addict, depending on their vice and the kind of person they
are.
Tolerance
Tolerance to a drug takes place when an individual is exposed to the same drug repeatedly and begins to build up an resistance to the drugs effects. The body then adapts and develops a tolerance for the drug. The addiction that is produced is so powerful that it creates cravings in the user. These cravings for the drug are the result of its impact on the individual's memory with feelings of pleasantness and euphoria which the individual has come to associate with the taking of the drug.
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