Legalizing Drugs Would Increase Violent Crime (From Illegal Drugs, P 142-150, 1998, Charles P. Cozic, ed. - See NCJ-169238)

• NCJ Number: 169261
• Author(s): J A Inciardi; C A Saum
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This chapter presents arguments supporting the claim that legalizing drugs would lead to an increase in violent crime.

Abstract

Opponents of drug legalization argue that violent crime would not necessarily decline in a legalized drug market but might actually increase, for three reasons: (1) Removing the criminal sanctions against possession and distribution of illegal drugs would make them more available and attractive, creating numbers of new users; (2) An increase in use would lead to a greater number of dysfunctional addicts who could not support themselves, their habits or their lifestyles through legitimate means; crime would be their only alternative; and (3) More users would mean more of the violence associated with the ingestion of drugs. In addition, legalization would likely produce more physical illnesses and psychiatric problems among drug users and their family members. Finally, legalizing drugs would not eliminate the effects of unemployment, inadequate housing, deficient job skills, economic worries and physical abuse that typically contribute to the use of drugs.