Myth: Drug Addiction Causes Crime (From Crime in the Streets and Crime in the Suites: Perspectives on Crime and Criminal Justice, P 182-189, 1989, Doug A Timmer and D Stanley Eitzen, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 154314
• Author(s): H E Pepinsky; P Jesilow
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Allyn and Bacon, Inc
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This paper traces the history of the regulation of opiates in the United States and argues for the legalized dispensing of such drugs as the most beneficial drug policy.

Abstract

Maintenance of an opiate addiction should be legalized, even if society is not ready to legalize all drugs. Addicts certified by a physician should be allowed to obtain a daily amount of narcotic sufficient to prevent the onset of withdrawal. England, for example, uses a system of clinics where certified addicts are able to purchase their daily dose. The addict can easily and safely obtain the drug at an affordable price and thus has no need to turn to crime or have poor health to support a habit. The addict and society both benefit from such an arrangement. The ability of an addict to obtain legally a drug will not suddenly end all the evils that have occurred because of the criminalization of addiction. Many individuals who steal will continue to steal, although probably less often. A number of positive outcomes should result from legalization. Addicts' health should improve. Most of the profit for illegal traffickers would end. The resultant decrease in pushers might reduce the number of addicts. New addicts would no longer represent a future source of income for the pusher. Finally, billions of dollars would be saved due to a reduction in the use of the criminal justice system to control drug addicts.