The Effect of Substance on Families and the Crimianl Justice System
The Effect of Substance Abuse on Family and the Criminal Justice System By: Sharon Bartley PCN-527-0101 Instructor: Joan Stadora September 5, 2012
Introduction Substance abuse has been a long standing problem in the United States. There are thousands estimated to be abusers of one substance or another for example; alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and in recent years methamphetamine. Beginning with the presidency of Richard Nixon the United States has declared a war on drugs unfortunately, we are losing. The drug problem has continued to grow for over 40 years. Many of the individuals abusing drugs have underlying issues such as; depression, bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia to name a few. Families have a challenging dilemma because these are their loved ones who are abusing drugs and committing crimes bringing hardships to the family. These individuals are most times arrested and sentenced to lengthy sentences where the rehabilitation is minimal at best. For this paper I will be discussing how substance abuse affects the family unit and how it also affects the prison system as a whole; and what can be done to assist families with dealing with a substance abuser as well as what strategies can be put in place to assist prison employees to better handle the substance abuser who may also; have a mental illness.
Substance Abusers
Substance abusers are individuals who are compelled to misuse drugs whether it is alcohol, street drugs or prescribed narcotics. This need can be stronger than the need to eat, drink water and in some cases as strong as the need to breathe. The basic text of Narcotics Anonymous (1986) states, “Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs”. The addict is the person, “whose whole life and thinking are centered on finding ways and means to get more of their drug of choice”. (1986)
Individuals under the influence will do whatever
Introduction Substance abuse has been a long standing problem in the United States. There are thousands estimated to be abusers of one substance or another for example; alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and in recent years methamphetamine. Beginning with the presidency of Richard Nixon the United States has declared a war on drugs unfortunately, we are losing. The drug problem has continued to grow for over 40 years. Many of the individuals abusing drugs have underlying issues such as; depression, bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia to name a few. Families have a challenging dilemma because these are their loved ones who are abusing drugs and committing crimes bringing hardships to the family. These individuals are most times arrested and sentenced to lengthy sentences where the rehabilitation is minimal at best. For this paper I will be discussing how substance abuse affects the family unit and how it also affects the prison system as a whole; and what can be done to assist families with dealing with a substance abuser as well as what strategies can be put in place to assist prison employees to better handle the substance abuser who may also; have a mental illness.
Substance Abusers
Substance abusers are individuals who are compelled to misuse drugs whether it is alcohol, street drugs or prescribed narcotics. This need can be stronger than the need to eat, drink water and in some cases as strong as the need to breathe. The basic text of Narcotics Anonymous (1986) states, “Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs”. The addict is the person, “whose whole life and thinking are centered on finding ways and means to get more of their drug of choice”. (1986)
Individuals under the influence will do whatever
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