Public Policy and Illicit Drugs

Criminal reactions to drug-using offenders: A systematic review of the effect of treatment and/or punishment on reduction of drug use and/or criminal recidivism

“…As such, treatment can be a more effective alternative in promoting public safety than incarceration ( 42 ). It should also be noted that completion of programs seems to be an important indicator in terms of criminal recidivism ( 61 , 70 , 5 ) and its severity ( 44 ), since the failure to conclude the program increases the risk of criminal recidivism ( 43 , 44 , 52 , 55 , 60 , 58 , 61 ). The literature also suggests that the length of stay in treatment is also related to the likelihood of criminal recidivism ( 70 , 5 ).…”

“…It should also be noted that completion of programs seems to be an important indicator in terms of criminal recidivism ( 61 , 70 , 5 ) and its severity ( 44 ), since the failure to conclude the program increases the risk of criminal recidivism ( 43 , 44 , 52 , 55 , 60 , 58 , 61 ). The literature also suggests that the length of stay in treatment is also related to the likelihood of criminal recidivism ( 70 , 5 ). This is corroborated by this systematic review, which found that individuals involved in the criminal justice system who spend less time in treatment are more likely to recidivate ( 43 , 55 , 70 ).…”

“…Another constraint in the specialized literature is due to the fact that most studies are conducted in the USA ( 34 ), which is also evident in the present review, as there are more studies ( n = 16) related to the American context and some ( n = 29) were excluded for being theoretical studies. As such, it is important to be alert to the possibility of bias in the research ( 5 ).…”

“…The association between psychoactive substances (PAS) and crime, although frequent ( 1 – 5 ), is not linear ( 3 , 5 , 6 ), and there are different interpretations of the phenomenon ( 7 ). A single model cannot explain the association between PAS and crime ( 8 ), because if PAS leads to crime, then treatment would reduce crime, whereas if crime led to PAS use, then treatment would not be effective and the focus should be on reducing crime ( 9 ).…”

Stability and change in perceived risk associations with binge drinking and marijuana use among US young adults: A national study, 1990-2016

“…The cohorts included in the current study (12 th grade classes of 1990 through 2004) witnessed dramatic change in local and state marijuana policy and also in enforcement of federal marijuana policy. As summarized by McBride et al (2017), in the 1980s marijuana policy was for strong prohibition; the 1990s saw the first state-court-confirmed medical necessity defense for personal marijuana use and state-level ballot initiatives for medical marijuana; in the 2000s there were dramatic state-to-state differences in marijuana scheduling and penalties combined with state legislature-introduced medical marijuana policies; in the 2010s state-level legalization of adult recreational marijuana use began to emerge. No attempt has been made in the current study to model the changes in the marijuana risk/use association based on changes in marijuana policy, but the fact that the 2000-2004 cohorts (which reached ages 29 and 30 during 2011 through 2016) were the first to show a weakening of the risk/use association during late young adulthood is notable given that this coincided with initial state legalization of recreational marijuana use.…”