I Love Criminology And Psychology

There are a lot of people in custody for what can be considered minor offences, eg., drug possession, minor theft, pretty much any offence that doesn't physically harm or overly inconvenience others. My thought is that these offenders could be dealt with more effectively by way of community based sentences, either home detention and/or enforced program participation.

Offenders with drug problems could be dealt with by way of enforced AOD programs and ongoing community support and counselling. In my experience, a lot of theft is associated with drug addiction. So counselling and ongoing community support may also work for those offences.

As and extra point, the legalisation of drugs and their supply by the Government would reduce the impact of the black market on users, giving them the opportunity to get drugs without having to commit offences.

Your thoughts and opinions are very welcome.

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Mamapolo2016 · F

I don't know what percentage of drug users fall into this category, but I learned something startling to me when I was in rehab for alcohol. All but about 4 of the other addicts I met while I was there, probably sixty people all told, were addicted to drugs.

Part of the thrill of drug use for at least a substantial segment of the drug addicts I met is the risk inherent in obtaining drugs and the danger involved in stealing money or goods to sell to buy drugs. Several women told me prostitution was also part of that anxious edgy excitement. I was floored.

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Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Mamapolo2016] I've known a few dealers who didn't use drugs because they could see the damage that they did to their customers. But the drugs that are often available on the street have been cut with some pretty nasty stuff. Also, there's no guarantee of purity and dosage strength, so there is a high risk to the user.

You are quite right about the drug culture being different, it has it's own set of rules and morals that would be totally alien to most "straight" people. The cross over between straight and drug cultures is also interesting. A lot of people use illicit substances on a regular basis but still function quite well in "normal" society. The use of cocaine in some white collar professions would be an example. But remember that those people are in a position to be able to afford better quality drugs and have intermediaries to distance themselves from the more dubious sectors of the drug culture.

What you say about the legality of drugs not being a factor, I think it would be fair to say that price would be. My feeling is that if users were offered a higher quality product for a price lower than they are paying the dealers for, they would opt in to such a scheme. Combine that with counselling and social support and there might be the opportunity to get users to kick their habits.

Of course, this is pure speculation, but I think it's a nice dream.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@Bushranger Even better, though, to address not how drugs are used but WHY, and try to improve that lack of hope. Addiction to any substance, including alcohol, is in my opinion a way of, if not committing slow suicide, at least courting death.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@Mamapolo2016 Yep, that's why I said that counselling has to be available. Not everyone is ready to address the reasons behind their drug use, so providing them with the opportunity to not get involved in criminal behaviour to support their addictions may lead to users being more open to addressing their issues.

Maybe not always attempting to commit slow suicide, but in some cases just trying to deal with personal demons. But, everyone is different.

AngieB · 36-40, F

I can agree with all of that though I have mixed feelings about the last point. Prison works in keeping criminals off the streets but also simply puts them in contact with a lot of other criminals. Less-dangerous offenders can be better helped onto a legal path with other solutions.

The sad thing is that probation is grossly underfunded in the UK so more get sent to prison. And in the US where some jails are privatised and the businesses that run them get money from having more in prison (and so lobby politicians to send more to prison)...it seems even worse.

That said, drugs can be dangerous, and the trade in them definitely harms a lot of people both in the country they're finally used in and around the world. While 'winning the war on drugs' is a rather pointless exercise (because while the demand still exists, it can never as I see it be won), I think sometimes it's important to send a signal.

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@AngieB In the Australian context (and I'll even need to be more specific and say NSW because that's the system I'm most familiar with) the Probation and Parole system is also underfunded and, in my opinion, poorly managed. The Government changed the name a few years back to Community Corrections, which I think gives an idea of how intend the service to be run. There is now an expectation of sending parolee's back to gaol for minor, often technical breaches that could easily be dealt with in the community.

I understand what you say about drugs, but to me they are only a symptom of deeper problems that prohibition and custody don't really address.

wildbill83 · 36-40, M

most of the people in custody for so called "minor offenses" are repeat offenders.

The parole system is broken, they might as well call it the "catch and release program"

Encouraging good behavior obviously doesn't work with many, so the time and money would be better spent by discouraging bad behavior.

i.e. If the carrot doesn't work, use the stick...

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@wildbill83 I'll agree that the parole system is horribly flawed. I can't speak to the situation in the US, but here in my state there are not enough resources to adequately deal with the needs of offenders in the community. Offenders serving short gaol terms will most likely not be offered custodial based programs due to their short sentences and are released with limited support, leading to further offending. So, yeah, a lot of them are repeat offenders. What I'd like to see is a committed attempt to break the cycle.

TexChik · F

That’s great if you like socialism . We are a nation of laws , break the law and there are consequences . The consequences are not meant to be pleasant .

Bushranger · 70-79, M

@TexChik Laws can be changed. Your country banned alcohol in the twenties, but eventually repealed the law.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't have to face some form of consequence, but if an offender can be diverted and not end up being locked up with even worse offenders, it may be a more effective response. It would also be much cheaper.

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