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Drug Addiction Definition

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DRUG ADDICTION IS THE BREEDING GROUND OF CRIMES

The word ‘drug’ inspires a feeling of terror in minds everywhere, with many perceiving it as something to be feared and loathed. The situation, however, is quite different from how it seems. The first thing we think of when we think of the word is not what it was originally intended to be; not the powdery substance that is injected, inhaled or smoked; rather, a life-saving amalgamation of chemicals- which, indeed, it still is.
A ‘drug’, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “any substance that is used or intended to be used to modify or explore the physiological or pathological system in the benefit of the recipient.” The definition is quite loose- we do not know the ways in which it …show more content…

On principle, it is illegal to use, possess, manufacture or distribute drugs classified as having potential for abuse; and there are strict laws governing the same. But there are few instances where we consider the changes that the drug may cause to the temperament and mentality of the user. Drugs have the potential tohamper the emotion centers of the brain. While messing with our reward system, they make the user increasingly more tolerant towards the drug, causing a condition known as ‘anhedonia’, or loss of pleasure in day to day activities. This prompts the user to desperately look for the stimulants, which may cause them to commit criminal offenses. This differs from drug gang-related violence, which includes more than stealing or threatening. These cartels often engage in homicides and robbery and are actively involved in the crime scenario.According to the provisional data for 1991, marijuana and cocaine addicts showed raised instances of crime, and prisoners have increasingly needed rehabilitation for marijuana addiction according to data from 2000 to …show more content…

These, coupled with the mental alteration brought about by the drugs, can make it difficult to pinpoint exactly where addiction ends and related crime begins, thereby making it tough to establish a concrete relationship between the two. Someone who is not an addict but has engaged in cartel-related crimes is responsible for the crime or the offense that he has committed; however, an addict who has committed a crime while desperately looking for his fix cannot be held solely responsible. This is where the judiciary lags behind, and where we need to change our

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