Chapter 7 (Part Three)

1. Chapter 7 (Part Three) Substance Abuse and Crime and Victims of Crime

2. Substance Abuse and Crime • Substance Abuse: (chemical use that impairs normal human functioning) • Contributes to many social problems • Breakup of families • Decreased productivity in industry • Injuries in the workplace • Automobile crashes • Criminal activity

3. Alcohol • Most widely abused substance in the U.S. due to it being socially acceptable • Alcoholism can lead to many problems • 10 % of work-related injuries • 40 % of suicide attempts • Spouse, significant other, child abuse (65 % of the victims who suffered from violence reported alcohol as a factor) • Committing crimes (40 % of violent crimes had alcohol as a factor)

4. Alcohol (cont.) • Drunk Driving: operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol • DUI: Driving under the influence • DWI: Driving while intoxicated • BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration): indicates the grams per deciliter (g/dl) of alcohol in the blood. • Can be determined through breath, urine, or blood samples • A person is intoxicated if the BAC is 0.10 g/dl or greater • A person is impaired if the BAC is between 0.01 g/dl and 0.09 g/dl • BAC levels vary from state to state

5. Alcohol (cont.) • Penalties for driving under the influence • Fine • Enrollment in a DWI school • Community service • License suspended (taken away for a period of time) • License revoked (permanently taken away) • Jail sentenced (some laws require a minimum term) • A person can have any combination of these penalties. • Repeat offenders receive stiffer penalties

6. Alcohol (cont.) • A person may choose not to take an alcohol test • However, most states have an implied consent law • The driver agrees to submit to a BAC test in exchange for the privilege of driving • Most states refusal to take the test could result in immediate suspension of the driver’s license for a certain period. • Teens who drink and drive have a greater risk of being injured or killed due to being less-experienced drivers and their bodies are affected faster by alcohol

7. Alcohol (cont.) • Organizations are around to help reduce drunk driving and to provide assistance to individuals who are victims of drunk-driving crashes • Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) • Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) • Remove Intoxicated Drivers • National Coalition to Prevent Impaired Driving • Helps provide greater public awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving

8. Drugs • Illegal drug intake has lead to a dramatic increase in criminal activity • Between 50 to 75 % of persons taken into the criminal justice system test positive for one or more drugs at the time of their arrest. • Controlled Substances Act: federal drug law that classifies drugs into five groups, depending on medical use (if any), potential for abuse, and capability to create physical or psychological addiction. • The penalties and criminal sanctions are different for each of the five groups

9. Drugs (cont.) • Federal and state laws are now carrying harsher penalties • Under federal law and in some states, those found guilty of being major drug traffickers may face a sentence of “life without parole.” • Some states treat simple possession of even small amounts of certain types of drugs as felonies. • Big debate going on over whether some drugs should be legalized (marijuana)

10. Victims of Crime • Each year, more than 36 million Americans are victimized by crime. • Teens are more likely to be the victims of crime than people in any other age group. • Except for rape and sexual assault, males are more frequently the victims of every form of violent crime. • Persons from lower-income households were more likely to be crime victims that those with higher incomes. • Members of minority groups, urban dwellers, and those who rent their homes were more likely to be victims of crime.

11. Victims of Crime (cont.) • There is help out here for victims • Most states have victim assistance programs that provide victims with counseling, medical care, and other services/benefits. • Most states have victim compensation laws that provide financial help for victims: paying medical bills, making up lost salary, and in come cases paying funeral costs. • Courts can order restitution (criminals pay back or compensate the victims of their crimes). • Victim advocacy groups that help victims through their trauma and also to protect the rights of victims (ex. MADD)

12. If You Become a Victim • Two different views on what to do if you believe you are about to become the victim of a crime • 1st: you should not fight back • 2nd: you should resist the assailant • If you choose this option, be prepared to risk injury or your life. Make sure you know your limitations. • If the assailant has a weapon, you should assume that it is going to be used. • General rule: criminals do not want an audience so if you are able to scream or blow a whistle do so. • Call the police as soon as you can.

13. Crime Prevention • To reduce the risk of crime, follow these rules: • Report suspicious activity to the police. • Lock your doors (dead-bolt lock with a one-inch bolt on each outside door is suggested) and windows • Beware of high-crime areas (dark and deserted streets, parking lots, parking garages, bus stops, etc.) • Try to have someone with you at night. • Don’t flash money in public. • When on vacation: Stop mail delivery or have a neighbor collect the mail and use a timer to turn on lights at night. • If you return home and think that someone has broken in, do not enter it but call the police. • If someone knocks on your door, do not open it until you are sure who is outside.

14. How to Report a Crime • If you are a victim or a witness to a crime do the following: • Stay calm • Call the police immediately! • If anyone is hurt, ask for an ambulance • Always report a crime. • When the police arrive, tell them exactly what you saw and what happened (if possible write down as much info. As you can before they arrive). • Age, height, clothing, facial description, etc. of the criminal • If the criminal drove away in a car: make, model, color, license #, and the direction of travel.