Reduce Crime, Law Enforcement & Corrections Costs
Return to Opioid Top-Level Strategy Map
Reducing opioid misuse is not only beneficial to those who might otherwise suffer from addiction and overdose (and their loved ones), but it also has important benefits for communities and society at large. There are many ways that communities suffer when opioid addiciton is high—including higher rates of crime, high stress (and cost) for law enforcement and other first responders, and a high cost to the justice and corrections system (even if they are adopting practices that support treatment and recovery). These costs impact every citizen, so clearly communicating the value of reducing these negative impacts should help build support for investing in the strategies to achieve success.
Contents
Background
Types of Crimes
Different types of drug related criminal offenses
- Alcohol and substance-defined – This means that the person violates the law regarding or providing the manufacture, distribution, use, or possession of alcohol and illicit substances. Examples may include providing alcohol to minors, production, sales, or distribution of illegal drugs, or illegal drug possession.[1]
- Alcohol and drug-related – These include violations of the law because someone is trying to get money to pay for drugs or alcohol or breaking the law because they are under the influence. Examples here may include violence against friends and family, stealing in order to nurse a habit, vandalism, fights, or a DWI charge.[2]
- Lifestyle – Law violations directly related to living a lifestyle where the person may not have a source of income or job and is repeatedly exposed to individuals and situations that promote crime. Examples include relationships developed through the use of illicit substances, meaning the user has more chances to violate the law and learn illegal skills from other offenders.[3]
Correlation
Many studies have shown a link between drug use and crime and that drug users participate in riskier behavior.[4]
- Heroin addicts participate in a higher proportion of criminal activity outside of the crimes specific to drug possession than other drug users.
- Generally the more an addict uses the more crime they commit.[5]
- These drug-related crimes take an economic toll on the criminal justice system. A recent article from the American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that opioid misuse cost the criminal justice system $5.1 billion.[6]
Law Enforcement Costs
There is general agreement that the opioid epidemic has led to increased costs for the Criminal Justice system. Those costs to can be broadly categorized in three areas: opioid-related arrests, court costs, and incarceration. A 2019 study of costs to the Pennsylvania criminal justice system found costs of the opioid crisis for the period of 2007 to 2016 were over $526 million, with most of that accounted for by state corrections. Pennsylvania court costs of the opioid crisis from 2007 to 2016 were $74 million. Pennsylvania state prison system costs attributed to the opioid epidemic amounted to $454 million.[7]
Accidental Overdoses
With the distribution of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be lethal in small amounts, law enforcement and emergency responders belive they are now at risk of overdose.[8] Fentanyl overdoses have been reported by law enforment personnel as having occured through inhalation or absorption through the skin during routine encounters.[9] These instances, however, are more myth than reality,[10] and can lead to misplaced fear when law enforement and emergency responders come upon a suspected overdose. Any delay in responding to an overdose could cause brain damage and even death.
The fact remains that the rise of fentanyl will result in higher law enforcement costs.
Current Crime Reduction Efforts in Other Countries
Link to Summary of Crime Reduction Efforts in Other Countries.
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SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: [fill out table below]
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Sources
- ^ https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introduction
- ^ https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introduction
- ^ https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introduction
- ^ Saadatmand, Toma, & Choquette, 2012; Grogger & Willis, 2000; Gordon et al., 2013.
- ^ Gordon et al., 2013; Blom Nilsson et al., 2014; Hucklesby, 2010
- ^ Birnbaum HG, White AG, Schiller M., Waldman T, Cleveland JM, and Roland CL. Societal costs of prescription opioid abuse, dependence, and misuse in the United States. Pain Medicine 2011; 12: 657-667. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21392250
- ^ Estimated Costs to the Pennsylvania Criminal Justice System Resulting From the Opioid Crisis, American Journal of Managed Care, July 30, 2019. https://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2019/deaths-dollars-diverted-resources-opioid-epidemic/estimated-costs-pennsylvania-criminal-justice-system-from-the-opioid-crisis
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/health/police-fentanyl-overdose-trnd/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion]
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/health/police-fentanyl-overdose-trnd/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion]
- ^ _
