DRUGS and CRIME

DRUG USE FACTS 50% - 75% Of people arrested test positive for 1 or

more drugs at the time of their arrest. Controlled Substances Act: a law passed that

classifies drugs into 5 groups.▪ I controlled substances: no prescription, is addictive

Marijuana, Heroin, LSD

▪ II controlled substances: no prescription, is addictive, causes psychological problems

Morphine, Cocaine, Meth

▪ III controlled substances: no prescription, is addictive, lower dependence

Steroids, vicadin

▪ IV controlled substances: no prescription,moderate physical dependence

Ambien, Xanex

▪ V controlled substances: Low potential for addiction, used as treatment as prescription in America

Cough medicine

DRUG PENALITIES

Drug penalties vary from State to State▪ Federal Law – drug traffickers can face “life without

parole”▪ 40% of States have a recidivist law – require long jail

sentences for those repeatedly convicted of the same crime.

▪ Some politicians believe that “as long as some drugs are illegal, we are creating a market for their illegal sale”▪ Marijuana

Many believe that drug regulation would work better than drug prohibition

Others believe that drug legalization would lead to increased drug problems

LETS READ THE PROS AND CONS OF LEGALIZATION