Running Head: LITERATURE ANALYSIS
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Literature Analysis
Brittany Buckner
Liberty University
LITERATURE ANALYSIS
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Abstract
Substance abuse is an issue that has been prevalent for many years. Although it has been part of
everyday society for many years, the sheer number of individuals choosing to abuse substances
is astounding when compared to the statistics of recent years. This paper will address the topic of
substance abuse as it correlates with the criminal justice system. With the rising number of
individuals using illegal substances, the rate of prisoners with substance abuse related charges
continues to rise. There is no way to completely eliminate substance abuse, but efforts can be
made both in and out of prisons to aid people in changing their lives and totally walk away from
substance abuse and that lifestyle.
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Introduction
The rate of substance abuse in the United States is at an all-time high, and due to the
high rate of substance abuse there are an astronomical number of individuals incarcerated on
drug related charges. The criminal justice system is in need of serious modifications that address
the ongoing substance abuse crisis and enables prisoners to not only overcome their addiction,
but to reintegrate into society successfully. Although the act of an individual misusing
substances has traditionally referred to as substance abuse, in recent years the act of individuals
misusing substances such as opioids, alcohol, hallucinogens, tobacco, stimulants, and
marijuana has been redefined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth
Edition to substance use disorders that are rated as mild, moderate, and severe (Substance Use
Disorders, 2014).
Consequences of Substance Use Disorder
The most commonly diagnosed substance use disorders are Alcohol Use Disorder,
Tobacco Use Disorder, Cannabis (Marijuana) Use Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder,
Hallucinogen Use disorder, and Opioid Use Disorder (Substance Use Disorders, 2014).
Substance use disorders can have numerous consequences. One specific consequence of
substance use disorders is the financial implications it can possible lead to. “Abuse of tobacco,
alcohol, and illicit drugs is costly to our Nation, exacting more than $740 billion annually in
costs related to crime, lost work productivity and health care” (NIDA, 2017).
Another result of substance use disorders is that there are often legal consequences
involved. “Drug crimes have been the predominant reason for new admissions into state and
federal prisons in recent decades. In every year from 1993 to 2009, more people were admitted
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for drug crimes than violent crimes. In the 2000s, the flow of incarceration for drug crimes
exceeded admissions for property crimes each year. Nearly one-third of total prison admissions
over this period were for drug crimes” (Rothwell, 2015).
Substance Use Disorder and Incarceration
The “war on drugs” has been present within the United States for quite some time, but in
1987 those efforts intensified greatly, and since that time, there has been a significant increase
in the prison population which has been estimated at a one hundred and fourteen percent increase
(White & Gorman, n.d.). There are significant concerns regarding prison overpopulation in the
United States, and some would argue that the overcrowding is a result of the increased number
of individuals being incarcerated on substance use related problems, but that is not necessarily
accurate. Although substance use related crimes account for nearly thirty one percent of prison
intakes, only one fifth of incarcerated individuals are actually serving time for substance use
related charges (Rothwell, 2015). Thus proving that the high rate of substance use related
charges is not the sole cause of prison overcrowding, but it has contributed to the problem. The
overcrowding in prisons has become a significant barrier for the criminal justice system, thus
requiring significant consideration on ways to decrease the population (Masters, Way,
Gerstenfeld, Muscat, Hopper, Dusch, Pincu., & Skrapec, 2013).
The sheer amount of individuals in the United States who are suffering from substance
use disorders has grown to epidemic proportions. “During the period from 1993 to 2011, there
were three million admissions into federal and state prisons for drug offenses. Over the same
period, there were 30 million arrests for drug crimes, 24 million of which were for possession.
Some of these were repeat offenders, of course. But these figures show how largely this
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problem looms over the lives of many Americans, and especially black Americans” (Rothwell,
2015). Many researchers would argue that the current epidemic of substance use disorders in the
United States is more likely to affect the African American population. Research has shown that
African Americans are three to four times more likely to be arrested for substance use crimes,
and they are nine times more likely to be placed in state prison for their offenses (Rothwell,
2015).
Substance Use Disorder and Crime
Criminal activity is often a direct result of substance use disorder. This can be a direct
result or an indirect result. Many times a person suffering from substance use disorder will result
to behaviors they would have otherwise resulted to. One example of such behavior would be an
individual who presents with substance use disorder stealing in order to feed their habit. They
might possibly steal money, goods, drugs, or various other things in order to either trade or sell
for money in order to provide revenue to purchase their substance of choice. It is not unusual to
see this type of behavior from someone who has a substance use disorder and does not feel there
are any other options available to them (White & Gorman, n.d.).
Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Many researchers believe there is a correlation between substance use disorder and
criminal activity. One could argue that this is evidenced by the high rate of individuals who are
booked into correctional facilities on drug related charges. This could lead to a reasonable
conclusion that there is a significant need for substance use disorder treatment within
correctional institutions (Brownsberger, Love, Doherty, & Shaffer, 2004). Currently in the
criminal justice system the general purpose of incarceration is deterrence from future criminal
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acts. One different in the criminal justice system and other human services fields would be that
other fields largely focus on rehabilitation as opposed to deterrence (White & Gorman, n.d.).
Some prisons systems have already implemented substance use disorder treatment
programs in their facilities. In many instances, this has been an extremely effective manner in
helping those who suffer from addiction to overcome their barriers and be more successful upon
release from imprisonment. “For over twenty years, the Bureau's substance abuse treatment
strategy has made a significant difference in the lives of inmates, their families, and their
communities” (Federal Bureau of Prisons, n.d.). There are multiple advantages to prisons having
onsite substance use disorder treatment programs. Some of the advantages include improved
relationships, reduction in the number of relapses, the improvement of both physical and mental
health symptoms and conditions, a reduction in criminality, increased levels of education and
employment upon return to the community, reduction in recidivism, and a reduction in inmate
misconduct (Federal Bureau of Prisons, n.d.).
In order for these types of programs to be successful, they must utilize evidenced-based
practices in their treatments. Many state and federal guidelines have been implemented
surrounding evidence based practices, and, “the purpose of best practice documents is to guide
treatment program planning and to outline processes that facilitate dissemination of research-
based intervention strategies to clinical settings. The content of these documents often includes
guidelines for service delivery, such as recommended scope of services, assessment and
intervention techniques, considerations when treating special populations, and processes for
coordinating treatment with other types of services” (Glasner-Edwards, & Rawson, 2010).
Evidenced based practice being used in substance abuse treatment in correctional facilities alone
does not guarantee the success of these treatment programs. In order for the optimal
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effectiveness to be achieved, there must be a uniform incorporation of practices being utilized.
Substance use disorder must be treated in order for it to be prevented in the long run (Campbell-
Heider, & Baird, 2012).
Barriers to Effective Treatment Programs in Correctional Facilities
Unfortunately, it is common for there to be multiple barriers when trying to implement
change in any organization (More, Vito, & Walsh, 2012). The criminal justice system is not
different in that. There is often a tremendous amount of red tape that must be navigated through
before any change can be successfully put into practice. When attempting to make significant
changes such as implementing a system wide overhaul of substance use disorder treatment in
correctional facilities is an extremely difficult task to see through. Although difficult, that does
not mean that it is entirely impossible.
Another significant limitation to implementing a uniform change to the criminal justice is
the high number of correctional facilities in the United States. Between county, state, and
federal facilities, there are hundreds of institutions. It would require a significant amount of
research and even more leg work before these changes could be made. The reality of the situation
is that the present criminal justice system is much different than that in years past (Stojkovic,
Klofas, & Kalinich, 2010). There are significant differences in the criminal justice system, but
that does not change the overall goal and mission of the system. Some of those primary goals are
to protect and serve, and that is not likely to ever change.
Treatment Success in Correctional Facilities
In essence, if the goal is to both protect and serve, then substance use disorder treatment
programs fits directly into that description. All prisoners deserve the opportunity to truly turn
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their lives around. With the looming issue of an untreated substance use disorder hanging over an
individual’s head, it is not likely that they will overcome these barriers. One way in which these
programs could be more successful is to integrate Biblical principles into their curriculum. Most
people believe that a person suffering from addiction is in a hopeless situation, but Scripture says
something completely different. John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed (KJV). Christ has the ability to set any addict free if they will allow Him to.
Substance use disorder treatment can be successful, but there must be certain changes.
One of those is that the Biblical stance on addiction must be understood. There must also be a
clear understanding of what Christ can do in the life of an individual who is willing to allow Him
to male those changes. There is a need for the local Christian community to be involved in the
treatment process. Christian practitioners, mentors, therapists, doctors, counselors, etc, should
be working with this population of individuals. These Christian individuals need to offer
information regarding the bondage of addiction and how Christ can set them free, but there is
also a need for education concerning the impact that substance use disorder has on the individual
who is suffering.
Recommendations regarding substance use disorder and treatment and prevention have
been developed, but without an implementation of the Word of God into treatment, then an
individual will never be truly free from the bondage (Campbell-Heider & Baird, 2012). The
twelve step programs that are used today have been successful for many individuals, but one
major flaw in this process is that an individual must continuously profess that they are an addict
and will always be an addict. This is contrary to God’s Word because it states that when Christ
sets someone free, then they are free. Another issues is that Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (KJV). If someone
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continues to profess themselves as an addict, then they are declaring death over their lives rather
than life. It would be very difficult to implement Biblical changes into the criminal justice
system, but it could be done. The criminal justice system has its own set of functions and
boundaries, but they also have the ability to make the entire process better (Schmalleger, 2019).
Conclusion
Substance use disorders have reached an all-time high in the United States. This has led
to an increase in the number of individuals who are incarcerated on charges related to drugs.
With this increase in the prison population coupled with the challenges facing those individuals,
the need for substance use disorder in correctional facilities is at an ever increasing number.
Even with these treatment programs in place, they are not always successful. In order for them
to be the most successful, there needs to be an integration of Biblical principles into the
treatment process. Christ has the ability to completely set these people free and give them a life
they could never otherwise experience, and they should be afforded that opportunity through the
people who are working with them. This is why it is so important for the faith based community
to become more involved in the treatment process.
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References
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substance abuse treatment in the criminal justice system. Criminal Justice Policy Review,
15(1), 37-60. doi:10.1177/0887403403256379
Campbell-Heider, N., & Baird, C. (2012). Substance abuse prevention and treatment within the
criminal justice system: An overview of the issues. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 23(1),
Federal Bureau of Prisons. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/substance_abuse_treatment.jsp 7-13.
doi:10.3109/10884602.2011.647422
Glasner-Edwards, S., & Rawson, R. (2010). Evidence-Based Practices in Addiction Treatment:
Review and Recommendations for Public Policy. Health Policy (Amsterdam,
Netherlands), 97(2-3), 93–104. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2010.05.013
Masters, R.E., Way, L.B., Gerstenfeld, P. B., Muscat, B.T., Hopper, M., Dusch, J, P., Pincu., L.,
& Skrapec, C. A. (2013). CJ realities and challenges (2nd. ed.). New York, NY:
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More, H. W., Vito, G. F., & Walsh, W. F. (2012). Organizational behavior and management in
law enforcement. Boston: Prentice Hall.
NIDA. (2017, April 24). Trends & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-
topics/trends-statistics on 2018, October 15
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Rothwell, J. (2015, November 25). Drug offenders in American prisons: The critical distinction
between stock and flow. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/social-mobility-
memos/2015/11/25/drug-offenders-in-american-prisons-the-critical-distinction-between-
stock-and-flow/
Schmalleger, F. (2019). Criminal justice today: An introductory text for the twenty-first century.
NY, NY: Pearson.
Stojkovic, S., Klofas, J., & Kalinich, D. B. (2010). The administration and management of
criminal justice organizations: A book of readings. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
Substance Use Disorders. (2014, September 30). Retrieved from
https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use
White, H. R., & Gorman, D. (n.d.). Dynamics of the Drug-Crime Relationship. The Nature of
Crime: Continuity and Change. Retrieved from
https://www.ncjrs.gov/criminal_justice2000/vol_1/02d.pdf.
