Medicalizing the drug war

Abstract

Recent findings in the field of psychopharmacology pertain to the abuse of drugs and alcohol among criminal offenders and have implications for new management techniques. Drugs of abuse exert their effects on areas of the brain responsible for pleasure, providing a powerful reinforcement for drug usage. Furthermore, there is a prevalence of psychological, psychiatric and social dysfunctions that antedate drug use which are identifiable at an early age. It is suggested that drugs of abuse differentially influence users via these biological, psychological and social mechanisms, reinforcing the development of serious and chronic abuse in a vulnerable subgroup. Studies of drug abuse specially indicate that within this subgroup, antisocial behavior precedes and exacerbates drug abuse, and multiple risk factors contribute to the concomitant development of criminality and drug abuse. Early detection and comprehensive treatment of underlying disorders that may both precipitate and result from drug abuse promise to improve possibilities for prevention and reducing relapse rates. Furthermore, the inclusion of pharmacologic treatments may further enhance the success of conventional drug treatments. This article proposes that incorporating scientific data and medicalizing our approach to drug abuse is essential to win the war against drugs.

Assessing the Role of Neuropsychological Functioning in Inmates' Treatment Response

“…Accordingly, offenders will be better equipped to maintain control over their own behavior rather than requiring severe methods of external restraint that are terminated upon release. Consistent findings indicate that far fewer crimes are committed when individuals are actively in treatment (see Fishbein, 1991;Fishbein and Pease, 1996). Similarly, in the present study, those inmates who remained in treatment longer showed fewer behavioral maladjustments.…”

“…Successful regimens attempt to compre not just the eve succeed in reversing or redirecting th hensively identify the unique conditions that contribute to an individual's antisocial behavior and may employ a combination of behavioral, cognitive, psychological and, when appropriate, pharmaceutical therapies. Research consistently indicates that far fewer crimes are committed when individuals are actively in treatment than when they do not receive treatment (see Fishbein, 1991;Fishbein and Pease, 1996). For drug users in particular, th length of treatment is negatively related to crime and drug use.…”

“…Accordingly, inmates will be better equipped to maintain control over their own behavior rather than requiring severe methods of external restraint that are suddenly terminated upon release. Consistent findings indicate that far fewer crimes are committed when individuals are actively in treatment (see Fishbein, 1991;Fishbein and Pease, 1996). At present, the only instrument that reliably predicts institutional misconduct, poor treatment response and postrelease commission of serious offenses is the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991).…”

Prospects for the Application of Genetic Findings to Crime and Violence Prevention

“…Adults will be better equipped to maintain control over their own behavior, rather than requiring external restraints. Consistent findings indicate that far fewer crimes are committed when individuals are actively in treatment (see Fishbein, 1991). For drug users in particular, the length of treatment is negatively related to crime and drug use.…”