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Unit 6 Crime, Delinquency and Drugs. Kimberly Platt, LCSW LADC. Part I: Crime and Delinquency. The rate of violent crime is twice as high today as it was in the 1960s The rate of incarceration in prison is four times higher today, one of the highest rates of any nation in the world
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Unit 6 Crime, Delinquency and Drugs Kimberly Platt, LCSW LADC.
Part I: Crime and Delinquency • The rate of violent crime is twice as high today as it was in the 1960s • The rate of incarceration in prison is four times higher today, one of the highest rates of any nation in the world • If current rates of incarceration continue, an African American male has an almost one in three chance of being put in a state or federal prison in some time during their life • There may be as many as 16,000 gangs in the US committing over a half a million gang-related crimes each year
Types of Crime • Violent and Property Crime • Murder, assault, robbery and rape • 16,000 murders and 1 million aggravated assault in the US in 2005 • 2 million burglaries, 7 million thefts and 1 million auto thefts are reported to the police each year • Organized Crime • Mafia, La Cosa Nostra, Asian organized crime, Colombian drug trafficking and Hispanic street gangs • White-Collar Crime • Price fixing, fraudulent use of funds (Enron) • Victimless Crime • Gambling, drug violations and prostitution • Juvenile Delinquency • Young offenders between 7 and 17
Questions • 1. What do you think are the contributing factors to Juvenile Delinquency? • 2. What can be done in your community to help reduce Juvenile Delinquency?
Who are the Criminals? • Gender • In 2005, 82% of all pe0ple arrested for violent crimes were male • There are approximately four boys referred to the juvenile court for every girl referred • Age • 10-24 constitute only 21 % of the population but account for 45% of all arrests for violent offenses
Who are the Criminals cont. • Socioeconomic Status • Q: Why is the relationship between social class and crime complicated? • Race • African Americans are disproportionately involved in crime. The social environment (linked to poverty, types of crime-not hidden crimes, racial profiling,) is primarily responsible for crime rate differences
Violence on Children • Unfortunately with all the violent crimes and domestic violence today, many children are being exposed to violence at a very young age. • Research is finding that the younger the child, the higher risk for emotional, mental and behavioral problems later on in life • For a complete list of resources on this subject go to Dr. Bruce Perry, MD’s website: http://www.childtrauma.org/default.asp and click on resources.
Part II: Alcohol and Other Drugs • What are some of the societal costs of drug abuse?
Alcohol • Sex: Men are far more likely to become alcoholics than women • Socioeconomic Status: Higher rates for lower income • Religion: Example: Catholics have many drinkers and higher rates of heavy drinking, French, Irish • Age: Alcohol abuse is more serious among younger than older people • 18-34 years: ¼ to ½ admit to have some alcohol-related problems, after 34: heavy drinking declines, 65: heavy drinking is about 1/3 of what it is in the younger groups
Marijuana • Some marijuana or cannabis has higher levels of THC (the psychoactive ingredient) than in earlier decades. • Research has shown that individuals who start smoking marijuana before age 15 are at higher risk for psychotic disorders in adulthood, such as schizophrenia www.drlindachamberlain.com • Q1: What positive uses of marijuana? • Q2: What are some other negative effects?
Stimulants • Cocaine, methamphetamines • What are some effects of stimulant use during pregnancy on the infant? • Withdrawal, low birth weight, learning disorders, behavioral and emotional problems later in childhood • Dr. Ira Chasnoff, a Pediatrician from Chicago has been studying the effects of drug and alcohol abuse during pregnancy for thirty years. For more info go to: http://www.childstudy.org/
Prevention & The War on Drugs • Reducing the demand for drugs by implementing education programs to youth has shown to be effective • Border patrol efforts have been less successful (experts estimate that only 10% of the drugs smuggled into the US are seized). • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Communities • Are more effective and less expensive than border patrol and incarceration • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the best known • Q: What do you think is the most important factor in preventing relapse to drugs and alcohol abuse?
Have a great week! • Reminders: • There is a project due this week • Discussion Board • Readings • Questions?