Imprisoned+for+Life+-+Drug+Addiction

// Drug Addiction, Drug related crimes and Imprisonment // Lauren Bester n8892253 Tutor: Steve Badman (Dale View Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, 2011)
 * “Imprisoned For Life” **

The Dale View Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts is a voluntary organisation whose mission is to, “To create a just society through education employment & Empowerment of the Society”. The above image is an example of their attempt to globally educate people of the danger of illicit substance use and the imprisoning effect this can have on their lives. (Dale View Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, 2011) “Once people get into the chains of a drug, it is a lifelong imprisonment.” The artefact also refers to the direct correlation between drug use and incarceration. Illicit drug use in Australia is a rapidly increasing public health issue, with over 3 million people partaking of illegal drugs each year. (AIHW, 2011) Illicit drugs include, cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, heroin and LSD. (Drug Aware, 2013) When abused these drugs can have devastating consequences, including, death, mental illness, injury, social and family problems. (Clarity Way, 2013) Drug use can also result in crime and incarceration, thus sparking the debate of imprisonment verses treatment and which is considered most effective in decreasing and minimising the public health issue of illegal substance abuse.
 * THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE**


 * A Literature Review **

When a person becomes dependent on a substance (drug) or loses complete control over how much they are consuming of that substance, it is termed ‘addiction’ or ‘reliance’. (Koob & Moal, 2000) Drug addiction is a vicious, harmful and oft times fatal cycle, a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, a never ending merry-go round, that people world over hop onto with ease to only attempt to disembark with great difficultly. People who suffer from this “chronically relapsing disorder” display two key symptoms: an unprecedented and irrational need to take the drug, despite any known consequences and warnings, and a complete loss of control in limiting the drug intake. (World Health Organisation 1992) As stated by Professor Francis J Turner “In the addicted stage the ‘drug user’ loses the voluntary ability to control its use”. (Turner, F, 2006) In Australia an estimated 2% of the burden of disease can be attributed to illicit drug use, 7.8% to tobacco smoking and 3.8% to harm from alcohol. Additionally, a report released by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in 2008 found that approximately 3 Australians die every day from drug overdose, equalling to 1095 people each year. The report also stated that “Over 6,000 Australians are hospitalized due to drug overdose every year.” (NDARC, 2008) These statistics, coupled with the aforementioned consequences of drug use, including health issues, crime and incarceration, indicate the prevalence of drug addiction as a very important public health issue.

Research over the last decade has shown that there is a clear link between drug abuse, crime and ultimately imprisonment. Firstly, the synthesis, possession, distribution, selling or partaking of substances deemed illicit is a crime and can result in warnings, fines, court hearings or jail time. Secondly, the effects of drugs on a person’s mental and social state can influence their committing of a crime. (AGIC, 2011) For example, a drug addict may become aggressive, disobey road lows or steal to fund their addiction. Thus, drug addiction is often a precursor for criminal activity. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, in 2004 37% of detainees attributed at least some of their offences to drugs (excluding alcohol), while 75% of assaults and 50% of homicides were the direct result of alcohol consumption. (AIC, 2004) A recent study, undertaken in 2012, was performed on 1,884 police detainees in nine different locations across Australia and focused on the relationship between drug use and crime. The study found that nearly half of the detainees held drug abuse responsible for the current offences. 40% attributed their crimes as a result of being under the influence of drugs, while only 25% claimed their offences directly correlated with their need to fund a drug addiction. (AIC, 2012) A comparison of the 2004 and 2012 studies by the Australian Institute of Criminology clearly shows the substantial increase in drug related crime and indicates the need for improved drug laws, policies and treatment methods.

Australian drug laws distinguish between those who take drugs and those who supply or traffic drugs. Most drugs or illegal or restricted and the consequences for their abuse usually involves the criminal justice system and more often than not results in incarceration. However, some Australian states have drug diversion programs which refer people with a drug addiction problem to a treatment plan instead of the criminal justice system. (Gunaratnam, P, 2005) According to the Justice Policy Institute treatment must be defined more broadly to cover the full continuum of care, including vital prevention programs: basic literacy training, job skill development, life skills training, mental health assessment and treatment, and possibly help with basic needs like arranging short-term child care and transportation”. (Justice Policy Institute, 2005) Drug addiction is a disease which cannot be cured by a prison sentence. As stated by SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie, "Providing alcohol and drug abuse treatment instead of jail is one of the surest ways to put drug-dependent adults on the path to recovery and to prevent juveniles with drug problems from becoming adult criminals.” (SAMHSA, 2006)

The statistics above were retrieved from noted sources such as the United Nations drug report and the Australian Institute of Criminology. The methodologies utilised by both of these organisations included, national population based survey’s; school survey’s regarding drug use and annual report questionnaires. These methods can be considered reliable and reasonably accurate, however as they mostly survey’s they rely on people honesty and therefore have to potential to be slightly inaccurate.

Drug addiction and illicit substance abuse can heavily influenced by person social situation and cultural background. Studies have shown that young Australians from the ages 18-29 are mostly likely to be reported drinking alcohol at risky levels or using illicit drugs, while Australians aged 40-49 are more likely to smoke daily. (NDARC, 2013) According to the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare males (43.2%) are more likely than females (36.5%) to partake of licit and illicit drugs. (AIHW, 2010) Additionally, socially drug use can be a result of peer pressure, socio economic background, ethnicity and geographic area. It can also occur due to lack of social support or if other family members are under the influence of drugs. (Turner, 2006)
 * A SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS**

Interestingly, different cultures have significantly higher drug addiction rates and imprisonment numbers for drug related crimes. In Australia, those with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background have been found more likely to smoke tobacco, drink alcohol at risky levels and declare their use of an illicit drug with the last 12 months, when compared to the non indigenous population. Additionally, those living in rural geographic areas are considered more likely to smoke and drink alcohol at risky levels yet less likely to partake of an illicit substance when compared to those in more populated areas. (AIHW, 2011)

The Australian government has implemented several programs and strategies designed to improve the current drug situation. One of these strategies is the Needle and syringe program (NPS), a harm minimization method, which aims to supply drug addicts with clean needles and syringes. (Gunaratnam, P, 2005) The Australian Drug Foundation and The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are two leading organisations which work with communities to minimise drug harm. This is done through community programs, information services and advocacy work. One of the most important aspects of the Australian Drug Strategy is drug and alcohol awareness education for the younger generation. This strategy is generally implemented in schools with informative talks and activities. The program, which began in 2011, is proving successful with 89% of 350 high risk students reporting that thus far the skills they learnt are proving helpful in their lives. (Australian Government, n.d)

The artefact above is a poster designed with the intent of education and warning people globally of the dangers of drug addiction. The picture has a skeleton hand with a handcuff around the wrist. To the left of the hand a syringe is pointed at the keyhole of the lock and the words “Life Imprisonment” are written below. The syringe symbolises drugs and how they can become an imprisoning factor take complete control of our lives. The artefact makes two strong points. Firstly, that a drug addiction is something a person becomes locked into. The picture suggests that like being locked in handcuffs there is not easy way out. Secondly, that drug addiction can easily and often does lead to crime and incarceration. Personally, the artefact conveyed to me the devastating message that drugs, do indeed, destroy lives. The picture made me realise how important it is that the general public, including myself, have a good understanding of drug addiction and are aware of the public health issues caused by it. By researching this topic I have gained a greater understanding of drug abuse in Australia and the seriousness of this issue. I also feel I have enhanced my research skills and improved my ability to find reliable and relevant sources. Overall, I believe what I have learnt in assessment piece will aid me in future assessment tasks.
 * THE ARTEFACT AND LEARNING REFLECTION**

http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/
 * LINKS FOR FURTHER READING**
 * http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/**

Australia Government Institute of Criminology. (2011). Drug use and property crime. Retrieved from [] Australian Government. (n.d.). The National Drug Strategy 2010-2015. Retrieved from []
 * REFERENCES**

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2005). 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report. Retrieved from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report. Retrieved from []

Clarity Way. (2013). Relapse: The revolving door – infographic. Retrieved October 8, 2013, from []

Dale View Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts. (2011). Drugs - Life Imprisonment. Retrieved from []

Drug Aware. (2013). About us. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from []

Gunaratnam, P. (2005). Drug policy in Australia – the supervised injecting facilities debate. Retrieved from []

Koob, G., Moal, M. (2000). Drug Addiction, Dysregulation of Reward and Allostasis. Retrieved from American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. (2012). In Response to the Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from []

Turner, F. (2006). Social Work Diagnosis in Contemporary Practice. Retrieved from []

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2013). World Drug Campaign. Retrieved October 3,2013, from []

World Health Organisation. (2012). Lexicon of alcohol and drug terms published by the World Health Organisation. Retrieved from []

REFLECTION

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/+%E2%80%9CSay+No+to+Drugs%2C+Say+Yes+to+Life%E2%80%9D

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/%27Meat%27+The+Facts+On+Our+Environment