Does drug use cause crime or does crime cause drug use?

Essay by yupshep February 2009

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CRIMINOLOGYDoes drug use cause crime, does crime cause drug use or is the relationship entirely co-incidental?INTRODUCTIONIn this paper I will look at the amount and type of crime caused by drugs, the relationship between drugs and crime and the relationship between alcohol and crime.

Crime is defined as:An act committed in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which punishment is imposed upon convictionUnlawful activityA serious offence, especially in violation of moralityCauses of CrimeFirstly, let us explore crime and it's causes.

There are five main theories about what causes crime:1.The Classical TheoryCrime is caused by the individual's free will.

Human beings are rational and make decisions freely with understanding of the consequences.

Crime is an immoral form of behaviour.

Immoral behaviour will weaken society.

2.The Biological TheoryThe basic determinants of human behaviour are to a considerable degree determined by genetics.

These basic determinants may be passed on from one generation to the next, criminal behaviour is genetically inherited.

Human dna, environmental contaminants, nutrition, hormones, physical trauma and body chemistry all combine to contribute to criminal behaviour.

3. Psychobiological TheoryChromosomal anomalies, reactions to foods, vitamin deficiencies or environmental allergies combined with a particular genetic makeup will predispose some individuals to criminal behaviour.

4.Sociological TheoryThe social environment is the cause of criminal behaviour. With weak or broken bonds to family school and religion being the catalyst to criminal behaviour.

People engage in criminal behaviour because they do not see the benefits of adhering to conventional social values and believe crime is a way to improve personal social conditions.

5.Interactionist TheoryAssociating with other criminals is the factor most contributing to criminal behaviour among individuals.

Failure of self direction and inadequate social roles are the root causes of criminal behaviour.

These same theories can be also used...