July 28, 2017
Drug Abuse & Crime Go Hand in Hand
Individuals who abuse illicit drugs are more likely to commit a variety of crimes, including violent crimes. There are many reasons that drug abuse and crime are so deeply connected.
The Facts About Drug Abuse and Crime
Drug abuse is implicated in at least three different types of drug-related offenses,
- Offenses defined by drug possession or sales
- Offenses directly related to drug abuse like stealing to get money for drugs
- Offenses related to a lifestyle that allows the drug abuser to engage in illegal activity (association with other offenders or with illicit markets)
According to the Department of Justice’s 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics, the total correctional population is estimated to be about 6,937,600. Drug law violations constitute the charges of 48.6 percent of inmates in American prisons, far more than any other crime.
Types of Drug Charges
Although the decriminalization of marijuana in some states and cities have reduced penalties, drug charges are still very serious. Unfortunately, the US is the world’s largest consumer of cocaine, Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana. There is also a huge opioid crisis ravaging America. There does not seem to be an end in sight for drug-related charges.
Common Charges:
- Cultivation
- Distribution, sale, and trafficking
- Manufacturing
- Possession of drugs
- Possession of paraphernalia
Marijuana Charges in KC
Don’t assume a marijuana charge is no big deal. The penalties in Kansas and Missouri are quite heavy. The penalties in Missouri range from one to 10 years to life and fines from $1,000 up to $20,000. Possession of fewer than 35 grams or of paraphernalia are misdemeanors. However, other offenses are considered felonies. Kansas charges are much steeper financially. An incarceration sentence for marijuana could be as little as 10 months, but the highest maximum fine is $500,000.