The authors define unintended consequences as those ‘that are not deliberate or intentional; they are not the targeted effects of any given action’ (p. 9). These vary between countries: affected by, for example, the national drug legislation and its implementation, as well as the social and economic context, and the types of substances considered.
Full Answer
What are unintended consequences of drug laws?
The enforcement of overly punitive laws for drug offences has not only proven ineffective in curbing the production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit substances, but had many negative consequences, including overloading criminal justice systems, overwhelming the courts, fuelling prison overcrowding and ...
What is one of the unintended consequences of drug enforcement?
A major unintended consequence of the Controlled Substances Act is that it encourages illicit-drug entrepreneurs to chemically modify scheduled substances, such as fentanyl, to create new substances that are technically not on the list.
What are the major consequences of drug abuse?
The social consequences of addiction are usually the most talked about. Dropping out of school, job loss, hospitalizations, legal problems (DUI, possession charges, etc.), jail time, troubled relationships, and being the perpetrator or victim of any kind of abuse–all of these are social consequences of drug addiction.
What are the consequences of drug?
Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as drugged driving, violence, stress, and child abuse. Drug abuse can lead to homelessness, crime, and missed work or problems with keeping a job. It harms unborn babies and destroys families. There are different types of treatment for drug abuse.
What are some of the unintended consequences of efforts to regulate the illicit global economy?
Some of the key unintended consequences of efforts to regulate the illicit global economy as Balaam and Dillman found “can be described as interdiction, repression, and eradication” (p. 387). These actions do not necessarily have good consequences, but it at least aid in some way shape of form.
What are 4 consequences of drug abuse?
Drug abuse can lead to social, legal, financial, and physical and mental health consequences. These consequences may differ in intensity depending on how far the addiction has progressed and the type of drug being abused.
What are three consequences of drug abuse?
Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage. Lung disease. Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult. Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems.
What are the causes and consequences of drug abuse?
Drug abuse can affect several aspects of a person's physical and psychological health. Certain drugs can lead to drowsiness and slow breathing, while others may cause insomnia, paranoia, or hallucinations. Chronic drug use is associated with cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease.
What are consequences of drug abuse on society?
Communities also suffer from the effects of drug addiction. Overall, substance abuse costs the United States more than $740 billion a year in terms of health care, work productivity and crime; of that figure, illicit drug abuse costs $193 billion and prescription opioid abuse costs another $78.5 billion.
What are the consequences of drug abuse on the community?
Drug abuse is often accompanied by a devastating social impact upon community life. The present article focuses on the adverse effect of drug abuse on industry, education and training and the family, as well as on its contribution to violence, crime, financial problems, housing problems, homelessness and vagrancy.
What are the 5 consequences of drug trafficking?
Drug trafficking has the following dangers:Bad image for the nation.Imprisonment.Death penalty.Adverse effect on the economy.Affects national security.It brings shame.Anybody caught will forfeit his assets.
What are unintended consequences?
The authors define unintended consequences as those ‘that are not deliberate or intentional; they are not the targeted effects of any given action ’ (p. 9). These vary between countries: affected by, for example, the national drug legislation and its implementation, as well as the social and economic context, and the types of substances considered. The authors outline in detail the health and non-health (social and economic) consequences for both users and non-users of drugs (p. 10), as well as almost 40 ‘possible interventions’ to ameliorate these unintended (although not always unexpected) consequences. Below is a broad summary of the unintended consequences covered in this report.
How to evaluate and improve drug policy?
The authors conclude that to evaluate and improve drug policy, stakeholders need to know how much these policies are costing, and take into account all possible effects of the associated interventions and actions, including the unintended negative consequences. They also argue that many of these consequences are predictable and therefore appropriate interventions should be put in place to minimise their impact on people who use drugs and wider society.
How long has the war on drugs been going on?
America’s war on drugs has now lasted nearly 50 years without success. This “war” began in 1971 with President Nixon’s declaration of a war on drugs soon after the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in late 1970. The act put a full prohibition on certain drugs, including marijuana, LSD, and heroin. This act declared that these drugs had high ...
How many times more likely are black people to be arrested than white people?
The use of illegal drugs is roughly equal among all races. However, depending on the state, black people are five to seven times more likely and Hispanic people are about twice as likely to be arrested and incarcerated as white people.
Is the war on drugs bad for public health?
Public Health. While the war on drugs was promulgated based on improving public health, it has had the opposite effect. There are greater risks to public health due to unsterile syringe sharing (which accounts for 100,000s of HIV/Aids infections in the U.S.). This puts others, including children, at risk, too.
Does violence come from drug use?
Just like in Al Capone’s era of alcohol prohibition, violence does not come from drug use, it comes from the prohibition itself. The executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said, “The first unintended consequence is a huge criminal black market that now thrives in order to get prohibited substances from producers to consumers. Whether driven by a ‘supply push’ or a ‘demand pull,’ the financial incentives to enter this market are enormous. There is no shortage of criminals competing to claw out a share of a market in which hundred fold increases in price from production to retail are not uncommon.” The profits to be made are great and people are willing to kill for those profits and organized crime in the black market have thrived.
Can a drug conviction cause a family to be banned from welfare?
A drug conviction, even for a relatively minor charge, can cause families to be banned from welfare, food stamps, and subsidized housing. These kinds of instabilities take a tremendous emotional toll on all family members, but this is especially true for children.
Can you get financial aid if you are convicted of a drug offense?
The Higher Education Act states that anyone convicted of a drug offense, including misdemeanor marijuana possession, can have their financial aid delayed or denied. This makes it even more difficult for these families to have stable and gainful employment.
How Prescription Drug Abuse Affects The Brain
Prevalence of Prescription Drug Abuse
- Legally Dead reports the following shocking statistics regarding the prevalence of prescription drug abuse:
Common Types of Prescription Drugs and Their Side Effects
- The most commonly abused prescription drugs fall into four major categories: depressants, opioids and morphine derivatives, stimulants, and antidepressants. These drugs at prescription strength are potent meds. Abusing them intensifies their potency and makes it more likely that the abuser will experience dangerous side effects.
Depressants
- Known by the slang name “downers,” depressants come in a variety of forms. This group of drugs includes medications like Haldol, Seroquel, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Halcion, Librium, Numbatal, and Seconal. According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, short-term side effects of depressants include: 1. Slowed brain function and slowed breathing 2. Lowered blood pressure …
Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
- Opioids and morphine derivatives are drugs designed to help control pain. Common prescription painkillers include Tylenol with Codeine, Roxanol, Demerol, Dilaudid, Percodan, Percocet, and OxyContin. Short-term effects of abusing these powerful drugs include: 1. Drowsiness 2. Slowed breathing 3. Constipation 4. Unconsciousness 5. Nausea 6. Coma Prolonged use or abuse of the…
Stimulants
- Stimulants, also known as “uppers,” are designed to temporarily increase alertness and energy and include such drugs as Ritalin, Concerta, and Dexedrine. However, when abused, stimulants can cause: 1. Extreme exhaustion 2. Apathy and depression 3. Hostility and paranoia 4. Irregular heartbeat 5. Dangerously high body temperatures
When You Need Help
- Prescription drug abuse is a serious and potentially fatal practice. Because many prescription drug abusers experience severe withdrawal symptoms that can cause permanent damage or even death, it is important to undertake your road to addiction recovery with the aid of trained professionals who can help ensure your safety as you recover. We’re Here to Help If you or a lov…
Incarceration
Disrupted Families
Neighborhood Safety
Drug Treatment
Public Health
Increased Discrimination
- Increased discrimination is the most concerning of the consequences. The use of illegal drugs is roughly equal among all races. However, depending on the state, black people are five to seven times more likely and Hispanic people are about twice as likely to be arrested and incarcerated as white people. There are several ways this has disproportion...