Drugs+&+Crime,+You+Do+The+Time

Tutor: Michelle Cornford
Drugs & Crime, You Do The Time

**Cultural Artefact **
====The cultural artefact I have chosen to portray for my topic ‘drugs and crime’, is a well-known, memorable face within Australian society. The image depicts a young Australian woman bound by the authority of a foreign criminal justice system. She stands grasping the steel bars of her lonely Indonesian prison cell, staring in despair towards the free world. She is Schapelle Corby, convicted drug smuggler. Her picture tells a story of 1000 words, one that resonates in the hearts of millions of Australian’s who watched in disbelief as a young Aussie girl lost her freedom to the clutches of illegal drugs. ====

**Public Health Issue**
====The link between drugs and crime is indisputable. Not only are the possession, manufacturing and supply of illicit drugs illegal, but the potential effects these substances pose in altering a person’s behaviour also contributes to the likelihood of committing further criminal acts (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013; Furst, 2008). Studies have suggested that through the indispensible understanding of man-made inequalities, including socioeconomic hierarchies, the complex relationship between addiction, criminality and treatment can be more greatly understood (Anex, 2012). Many believe that an alternative system of care focusing on harm minimisation and harm reduction rather than abstinence holds the key to developing sustainable government policy that is built upon the treatment, rather than punishment of addiction.====

**Literature Review**
====The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) incorporates illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine as well as prescription drugs used for non-medicinal purposes in defining the term illicit drugs. Additionally, illicit drugs are also described by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2013) to be lawfully prohibited substances which encompass the potential for abuse. Over 142 illicit substances are listed within the 1995 Criminal Code Act for Queensland, of which production, possession, supply and trafficking are considered against the law.==== ====The //2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey// report found that illicit drug use was highest for unemployed, never married and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander populations. The report identified the greatest increase in the use of illicit drugs between 2007 and 2010 was seen in those with the second lowest socioeconomic status group (11.4% to 15.5%). Age groups more likely to have ever used an illicit drug were 20-29 year olds and 30-39 year olds, with homosexual and bisexual genders at a higher risk of drug abuse in comparison to the general population (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). The survey also found that mental illness and high levels of psychological distress were more likely in users of illicit drugs in a 12 month prior timeframe. Illicit drug use was estimated by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare to have cost Australian Society $8.2billion in 2004-2005, of which 82% was attributed to crime, lost productivity and health care.====

====A study released by the Australian Institute of Criminology in 2010 outlined findings gathered through a comprehensive self-report and urinalysis data study of more than 3000 police detainees. The study found that 2 in every 3 offenders tested positive to at least one illegal drug, with over half of the detainees indicating positive to cannabis, and a quarter testing positive to methyl amphetamine (Gaffney et al., 2012; Australian Institute of Criminology, 2010). The Australian Crime Commission also reported the arrests of over 93,000 men and women for the consumption and supply of illicit drugs in Australia between 2011 and 2012. Additionally, violence, property destruction, disorderly conduct and driving while under the influence of an illicit substance are also contributing crimes to offenders who indicate positive to illicit drugs at the time of arrest.==== ====These alarming statistics warrant proof that the trends between illicit drugs and crime are both a confronting and vital issue at the forefront of Australia’s public health. The complex relationship between addiction, treatment and criminality demands a further depth of research, interpretation and comprehension into socially constructed macro and micro level influences in order to fully understand, and thus address the public health issue of illicit drugs and crime.==== ====Libertarian and prohibitionist’s contrasting beliefs surrounding the legality of drugs both present convincing explanations of each point of view. Libertarians argue that an individual should be free to consume mind altering substances given that it does not harm others, while prohibitionist policy maintains that the behaviour altering effects of drugs heartens criminal activity, in turn adversely effecting society (Hamowy, 2008). Anex (2012), a leading national voice in the Australian public health sector believe that the existing policy on drugs is not at all in line with the pains and pleasures associated with drug use. Instead the organisation suggests a //Recovery-Orientated System of Care// in which the focus is placed upon harm minimisation and ham reduction programs for individuals. A grass-roots level approach is believed to be necessary when dealing with the disease of addiction, and that man made in-equality is crucial in the comprehension of patterns of drug use, drug control and related harms. Alex Stevens, author of Drugs, Crime and Public Health (2011, p.147) supports an outlook involving the indispensible understandings of inequalities as a key driver in developing a drug policy that focuses on harm minimisation and the nature of addiction.====

====The //National Drug Campaign// is a part of the //National Drug Strategy 2010-2015// built upon three underpinning pillars; demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction. The campaign is an initiative of the Australian Government, aiming to inform, educate and promote awareness to youth and parents about the harmful effects of illicit drug use. Radio, print, outdoor and online advertising endeavours to highlight the risk and harms associated with illicit drug use and the benefits of not using these substances.====

====Although the governments first and foremost goal is to reduce health related harms and risks to the Australian population, when coupled with over exaggerated media portrayals, the issue of illicit drugs and drug related felonies generates an unnecessary stigma, or moral panic surrounding the issue.====

**Cultural and Social Analysis**
====Society and culture are crucial to consider when addressing the public health issue of illicit drugs, in particular its undeniable link with crime. Initiatives and research such as //The National Drug Campaign// and the //National Drug Strategy 2010-2015// effectively represent the risks and harms associated with illicit drug use. Although the programs are thus far successful in educating youth and their parents on the facts and figures surrounding illicit drugs, when the Australian media falsely provides the public with panic evoking headlines an outburst of moral panic is created.====

====Oxford dictionaries (2013) defines moral panic as a time of public anxiety provoked through the representation of a problem as threatening to the moral constructs of a society. Although the majority of criminal activities associated with illicit drugs are not at all the most heinous of crimes, the exacerbated portrayal of drugs and crime as being a threat to society have created an unjustifiable moral panic within Australian communities. A report compiled by the Drug Policy Modelling Program in 2010 wrote of the perception of risk regarding illicit drugs was widely influenced by the medias framing on the issue. Individuals are more vulnerable to media framing when direct association with the problem is minimal resulting in naïve, uneducated and non-critically constructed judgments (Hughes et al., 2010).==== ====An article published by The Courier Mail in 2009 on the increase in drug use in Queensland, used fearful and evasive language in describing the amount of drugs that had “infiltrated” Australia’s shores. The article went on to further highlight the “considerable risk to the community” these drugs and their users posed. As previously mentioned the criminal acts associated with illicit drugs are more often than not low-level crimes such as property destruction and disorderly conduct, however the media still places emphasises on the immediate danger fronting society.==== ====In 2007 1.4% of Australian’s admitted to having drug use problems, while 60.2% had never used an illicit drug (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011). These statistics are not at all in line with the Australian media’s depiction of drug use and drug use crime within communities. Developing a realistic awareness in society is important in order to facilitate assistance for the percentage of Australian’s that do fall into the clutches of illicit drugs. In order for public health experts to provide support for drug users, further interpretation, research and comprehension of motives of at-risk populations is fundamental.====

**Analysis of Artefact and Learning Reflection**
====The cultural artefact and the well-known story behind it represent the paining relationship between illicit drugs and crime. The image depicts a young 25 year old woman who compromised her own freedom for drugs. Schapelle Corby’s story is one that captured the nation’s attention from arrest to conviction the Australian public demonstrated their support for someone who, for most, was a complete stranger. The support displayed for Corby was a refreshing, uplifting and inspirational demonstration of the comradeship Australian society is capable of. I believe that if the Australian community elicited this form of support to alleviate the agony of addiction, and the negative stigma that surrounds it, drug addiction and criminality would be less prevalent in society.====

====Through the analysis of this artefact I have uncovered imperative research, information and statistics that surround illicit drugs, drug use and crime. The striking statistics provide proof that drugs and crime are undeniably linked and require the further attention and intervention of public health experts. The intricate relationship between addiction, treatment and criminality are what makes the development of an ideal solution to the public health issue of illicit drug use complex. Furthermore, the moral panic prevalent around the issue proves to hinder, rather than facilitate change for individuals associated with drugs. In order for this major public health issue to be addressed Australian society should evade constructing pre-conceived judgements based upon media informing before fully understanding the concepts surrounding drug use and drug crime.====

====Australian Institute of Criminology. (2010). Links between Illicit Drug Use and Crime. Retrieved from [|__http://www.aic.gov.au/crime_types/drugs_alcohol/illicit_drugs/drugs_and_crime.html__] ====

====Gaffney, A., Jones, W., Sweeney, J. & Payne, J. (2008). Drug use and Monitoring in Australia: 2008 Annual Report on Drug use Among Police Detainees. Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology.====

====Hughes, C., Spicer, B., Lancaster, K., Matthew-Simmons, F., & Dillon, P. (2010). Media reporting on illicit drugs in Australia: Trends and impacts on youth attitudes to illicit drug use. //DPMP Monograph Series//. Sydney, Australia: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.==== ====Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. (2011). National Drug Strategy: 2010-2015. Retrieved from [|__http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/DB4076D49F13309FCA257854007BAF30/$File/nds2015.pdf__] ====

====Payne, J. & Gaffney, A. (2012). Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice: How much crime is drug or alcohol related? Self-reported attributions of police detainees. Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Criminology====

Stevens, A. (2011). //Drugs, Crime and Public Health.// Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
====Viellaris, R. (2009). Queensland tops drug crime as addiction grows. //The Courier Mail//. Retrieved from http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland-tops-drug-crime-as-addiction-grows/story-e6freon6-1225733484109====

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