Drugs and Crime Zabransky, T.

Drugs and Crime

Zabransky, T. (2007). Methamphetamine in the Czech Republic. Journal of Drug Issues. 37, 156-180. Retrieved from http://www2.criminology.fsu.edu/%7Ejdi/samples/zabransky.pdf

This journal entry details the lengthy history of methamphetamine in the Czech Republic by evaluating factors such as drug use estimates, treatment demands, and mortality rates associated with this problem, which are then related to criminal activities. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development of this narcotic in the Czech Republic, and how it has influenced crime there. It was written by PHD and MD Tomas Zabransky, who consults with drug policy providers for the European Union and the United Nations, for the purpose of providing a foundation for further research on this subject. "This paper attempts to provide as complex a picture of this phenomenon as possible by analyzing what is known about the Czech methamphetamine situation through scientific monitoring and research (Zabransky, 2007)."The historical narration of the problem of methamphetamine in this country is valuable since it can be used as a model for future drug related research for other countries.

Cardoso, F.H. Gaviria, C. Zedillo, Ernesto. (2009, February 23). The War on Drugs is a Failure. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123535114271444981.html

This article details the failure to prevent large amounts of violence and narcotics trafficking, primarily in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Columbia and Brazil. It offers recommendations for refocusing the efforts of the War on Drugs to ameliorating the conditions and harm of drug users and also suggests targeting the organized crime structures which propagate drug use. This source is based upon findings in the Latin Amrican Commission on Drugs and Democracy, and is intended to persuade governmental officials to shift their drug policies away from prohibition and criminalization of narcotics. The story was written by former presidents of Brazil, Columbia, and Mexico, respectively, and is valuable to future research in this are by presenting an insider's view of the political machines that have targeted civilians in the war on Drugs. "Both the U.S. And the EU share responsibility for the problems faced by our countries, since their domestic markets are the main consumers of the drugs produced in Latin America (Cardos, Gaviria, Zedillo, 2009)."

Abt Associates Inc. (2009). 2008 ADAM II Report. Retrieved from http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/adam2008.pdf

The 2008 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring report was prepared for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which is an Executive Office of the President, by Abt Associates Inc., a research consulting firm with offices in virtually 40 countries. The report documents information regarding drug use and criminality from male offenders, taken within two days of their time of arrest. Its data can best be used for estimating trends in drug use and elucidating the link between crime and drugs for future research. This report stratifies drug offenses by narcotics such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine and meth in various market areas including Chicago, Portland, Sacramento and the eastern United States. "The program offers a unique advantage over many traditional surveys of drug use through its collection and testing1 of a urine sample from respondents to verify answers about recent drug use (Abt Associates Inc., 2009))."

Fry, Smith, Bruno, O'Keefe & Miller (2007). Benzodiazepine And Pharmaceutical Opioid Misuse And Their Relationship To Crime. Retrieved from http://www.ndlerf.gov.au/pub/Monograph_21.pdf

This source details the relationship between the prescription drugs benzodiazepine and pharmacological opioid use and crime. It gives particular detail to the selling of these drugs on the black market, and is based on information from informants, law enforcement and health practitioners in Australia. This is an excellent source for illustrating how even legalized drugs can contribute to the development of criminal activity. The purpose of this publication was to aid in the understanding and edification for law enforcement officials in this specialized area of illicit drug activity, and was financed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as part of its support of the National Drug Strategy. "The purpose of this study was to contribute to the law enforcement sector's understanding of the relationship between benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opioid use and crime, and the impact of this in three select Australian jurisdictions (Fry, Smith, Bruno, Okeefe, Miller, 2007)."

Klein, A.R. (2009). Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research: For Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Judges. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/nij/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/practical-implications-research/ch3/drug-alcohol-abusers.htm