Drug Arrests Skyrocket as Opioid Addiction Takes Hold

 Posted on October 12, 2018 in Drug Crimes

Addiction has always been a factor in many cases in the criminal justice system. Approximately 65 percent of those in jail are known to have a substance use disorder.

However, the opioid epidemic has created higher stakes due to the dangerousness of the drug and the potential for relapse once someone is no longer incarcerated. A new study shows just how many people addicted to opioids end up with drug charges or unrelated criminal charges.

About the Opioid Epidemic

The statistics about what a deep hold opioid addiction has on the United States is alarming. Perhaps the driving factor behind the epidemic is the increase in prescription painkillers. The United States has seen the number of opioid prescriptions triple from 1991 to 2011. In 2011, there were 219 millions prescriptions for opioids written in this country.

It is telling that this country comprises about 5 percent of the world’s population and consumes about 80 percent of the supply of these painkilling drugs. In 2012, 12 states had more opioid prescriptions than residents: Alabama (142.9 per 100 people), Tennessee (142.8), West Virginia (137.6), Kentucky (128.4), Oklahoma (127.8), Mississippi (120.3), Louisiana (118), Arkansas (115.8), Indiana (109.1), Michigan (107), South Carolina (101.8) and Ohio (100.1).

Opioid Epidemic and the Criminal Justice System

A recent study shows the strong link between opioid use and being charged and convicted of a crime. The study found that a mere 3 percent of the population that does not use opioids has been recently arrested or is on parole or probation.

Among who abuse prescription opioids, nearly 20 percent had criminal justice involvement. For heroin users, that number was 40 percent. Those who use prescription opioids and/or heroin were up to 13 times more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system.

Contact a Chicago, IL Drug Charge Defense Attorney

If you or someone you love have been charged with a drug related offense, the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney can help. We have successfully represented many clients who are defending drug charges in a variety of circumstances. Our attorney is very familiar with what options someone who abuses or is addicted to drugs has in the criminal justice system such as rehabilitative services and diversionary programs.

Call a skilled Chicago, IL drug charge defense lawyer today at 312-629-0669. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

Sources:

https://www.ncsc.org/sitecore/content/microsites/trends/home/Monthly-Trends-Articles/2017/Opioid-Epidemic-and-the-Courts.aspx

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/06/626176621/with-more-opioid-use-people-are-more-likely-to-get-caught-up-in-the-justice-system