Drug use and alcohol use will increase crime. Driving drunk, drug dealing and purchasing, and people’s crimes to support their addictions represent how drugs impact crime rates. Still, the most notable way that drugs and crime are related exists inside the drug addict or alcoholics personality. Drugs and alcohol will change the person’s character and re-prioritize their life. People who desire to drink every night or day will eventually drive drunk or blackout and hurt themselves or others. Similarly, people who are addicted to illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc., break the law every time they buy them. Finally, to finance drug and alcohol addictions, most people will turn to crime to support their habit. 
Why Do Addicts and Alcoholics Commit Crime?
The disease of addiction is less about the substance and more about the individual’s mental health. People addicted to drugs and or alcohol are suffering long before finding relief in a substance. In addition, their emotional and mental health is damaged, usually from trauma, sexual or physical abuse, and other situations that caused them harm. For these reasons, addicts and alcoholics are self-medicating. Once they cross the line into addiction, they lose control of how much they use and will continue to seek more substances regardless of the consequences. Drugs and crimes are especially bad when the drugs cause physical dependency. Opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, etc.) will force the person to acquire their drug no matter what to ward off withdrawal symptoms.
What Drugs Cause the Most Crime?
Illegal drugs will outright cause the most crime simply because buying them, manufacturing, or selling them is illegal and a felony. Still, the drugs that are most often involved in a crime-related activity such as burglary, petty theft, fraud, domestic violence, or crimes under the influence (rape, assault) include:
- Methamphetamine
- Crack Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Alcohol
What Do The Authorities Say About Drug-Related Crimes?
The U.S. Department of Justice states the most significant ways drugs and crime are related. They emphasize how violent crimes are most often associated with drugs of abuse.
Drugs are related to crime as it is a crime to use, possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs classified as having a potential for abuse (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, etc.,) Drugs are also related to crime through the effects they have on the user’s behavior and by generating violence and other illegal activity in connection with drug trafficking. Many victims of violent crimes report offenders to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. (DOJ)
How To Know If Someone I love is Committing Crime on Drugs?
Unfortunately, most people using illegal drugs, even illicit prescription drugs, will eventually commit a crime to buy them or get money for them. Today, drug offenses most often occur as drug possession and distribution. Other crimes that your loved one may be committing that are less direct include forging checks and stealing money from relatives, neighbors, or their jobs. Domestic violence is also an issue of substance abuse, as is driving under the influence or falsifying medical symptoms to get prescription drugs. These are all considered drug-related crimes.
What Are The 2021 Statistics On Drugs And Crime?
Various agencies take the statistics on drug use across the globe every year. The United Nations has provided a summary statement on world drug use.
Around 275 million people used drugs worldwide in the last year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. The latest global estimates find about 5.5 percent of the population aged between 15 and 64 years have used drugs at least once in the past year, while 36.3 million people, or 13 percent of the total number of persons who use drugs, suffer from drug use disorders. (UN, 2021)
Where to Get Help Right Now?
Evoke Wellness in Coconut Creek, provides same-day admission to all of our centers. For immediate entry into one of our comprehensive treatment programs in Coconut Creek, give us a call now. We have helped even chronic and relapsing drug addicts become sober for life. Professional therapy is essential for overcoming addiction. Whether you or a loved one needs behavioral therapy or addiction treatment, we can help. If the signs of drug use persist, you will never be able to recover. You are probably right if you suspect drug use. Let’s work together to help them. Our programs work, and we provide lifelong support to our patients.
