In-Depth Notes on Drug and Sex Crimes

  • Recreational Offenses

    • Young people are drawn to drug use for various reasons.
    • Society regulates illicit drugs for health, safety, and crime prevention.

  • History and Extent of Drug Abuse

    • Historically, drug use was limited to artists seeking enhanced creativity.
    • Medicinal elixirs in the 1800s contained substances like cocaine, alcohol, and opium.

  • Opium

    • Introduced to the U.S. via Chinese immigrants.
    • Affected many Americans, leading to increased usage and social implications.

  • Psychoactive Substances

    • Gained popularity during the hippie movement (1960s-1970s), symbolizing newfound freedoms for youth.

  • National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

    • Marijuana: 26 million users (9.6% of the population aged 12 and older).
    • Prescription pain relievers: 3.2 million abusers.
    • Methamphetamine users: 774,000.
    • Cocaine users: 2.2 million.
    • Overall illicit drug use: 11.2% among those aged 12 and older.

  • Opioid Epidemic

    • Approximately 140-170 daily deaths due to opioid misuse in the U.S.
    • Opioids include heroin, synthetic opioids (fentanyl, carfentanil), and prescription pain relievers.
    • Nearly 80% of heroin users misused prescription opioids prior to using heroin.

  • Heroin

    • Chemically similar to prescription opioids, producing similar high effects.
    • Classified as the most dangerous opioid, not used medicinally in the U.S.

  • Controlled Substances

    • Grouped into five schedules under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.
    • Schedule I: Highest potential for abuse, Schedule V: Lowest.

  • Economic Impact of Opioid Crisis

    • The cost of the opioid crisis exceeds half a trillion dollars annually.
    • Includes indirect costs such as medical care for drug-related child abuse.

  • Drug Trafficking

    • Encompasses manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, importing, and exporting drugs.

  • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

    • Defines "dangerous drug" outside of cocaine, opiates, and cannabis.
    • Heroin Signature Program (HSP): Identifies the geographic source of heroin samples through chemical characteristics.
    • 93% of heroin in the U.S. originates from Mexico.

  • Cocaine Trafficking

    • Predominantly from South American countries: Peru, Colombia, Bolivia.

  • Pharmaceutical Diversion

    • Occurs through illegal prescribing and dispensing practices.
    • Doctor Shopping: Seeking lenient physicians to obtain prescriptions.

  • Drug Use and Crime

    • Strong correlations established between drug use and crime:
    • Drug users often more involved in criminal activity.
    • Individuals with criminal records frequently report drug use.
    • Higher crime rates correspond with increased drug usage.

  • Drug Defined vs. Drug Related Crimes

    • Drug Defined Crimes: Violations of laws pertaining to illegal drug possession and distribution.
    • Drug Related Crimes: Non-drug law violations where drugs play a contributing role.

  • Drug Control Strategies

    • Forfeiture: Seizure of proceeds from illegal drug sales.
    • Decriminalization: Reducing criminal penalties for possession of controlled substances.
    • Legalization: May also lessen penalties for drug possession.

  • Sex Work

    • Defined as engaging in sexual activity for hire.
    • Statistically, 38,000 arrests yearly for prostitution; juveniles involved estimated at 100,000-300,000.

  • Changing Landscape of Sex Work

    • Shift from street prostitution to internet-based platforms.
    • Different types of prostitutes:
    • Streetwalkers: Lower prices, higher arrest risk.
    • Bar/Hotel prostitutes: Work events and business negotiations.
    • House prostitutes: Operate in legal environments (e.g., Nevada).

  • Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

    • Crimes against minors for financial gain.
    • Average entry age into sex work is 14-16 years.

  • Debate on Sex Work

    • Feminist perspectives vary:
    • Some view it as exploitative and dangerous.
    • Others see it as liberating and a means of exercising bodily autonomy.
    • Personal reflection encouraged on individual stances regarding this issue.