Addiction and Crime Presentation

CJHS/410 - MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS INTERVENTIONS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Instructor: Grace Telesco

What is drug addiction?

The characteristics of addiction and substance abuse

Loss of control – engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence.

Compulsive preoccupation – worrying compulsively about getting a “fix” and spending a lot of their time thinking about the drug.

Continued use of the drug of choice despite negative consequences – losing control of the ability to monitor how much and how often the user takes their drug.

Loss of motivation – losing interest in activities that the user enjoyed prior to addiction.

Depending on the drugs Some common withdrawal symptoms

include:

A description of how crime is related to addiction• Most inmates are in prison, at least in large part, because of substance abuse.

• 80% of offenders abuse drugs or alcohol.

• Nearly 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically addicted.

• Approximately 60% of individuals arrested for most types of crimes test positive for illegal drugs at arrest.

Know that lapses can occur

Conduct urinalysis

Provide immediate feedback

Intensify treatment as needed

The role of criminal justice professionals in providing intervention and rehabilitation to substance abuse offenders

References• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Retrieved from

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction

• National Drug Intelligence Center. The Economic Impact of Illicit Drug Use on American Society. Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice, 2011.