Drug Related Crimes

Drug Related Crimes

A drug-related crime is a crime to possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs classified as having a potential for abuse (such as cocaine, heroin, morphine and amphetamines ). Drugs are also related to crime as drug trafficking and drug production are often controlled by drug cartels, organised crime and gangs.

A drug-using lifestyle is one in which the likelihood and frequency of involvement in illegal activity increase because drug users may not participate in the legitimate economy and are exposed to situations that encourage crime. Such a lifestyle includes an emphasis on short-term goals supported by illegal activities, opportunities to offend that result from contacts with offenders and illegal markets, and the acquiring of criminal skills learned from other offenders. Overall, the evidence shows that drug users are more likely than nonusers to commit crimes, that arrestees are frequently under the influence of a drug at the time they committed the charged offense, and that drugs generate violence.