Researching Drug Crime in the UK: Statistical Analysis and Policies

This report delves into the issue of drug crime in the UK, examining its prevalence, causes, and societal impacts. The report begins with an introduction outlining the topic's significance and rationale, followed by a literature review that explores statistical trends, the impact of drug crime on society, and the reasons behind its increase. The analysis reveals rising drug offenses, particularly drug trafficking, and highlights the correlation between drug use and various social issues, including health problems and domestic disputes. The report also examines the role of policies, such as the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Drug Trafficking Act 1994, in regulating drug-related activities. Furthermore, the report analyzes statistical data, showing increases in drug-related deaths and identifying trends in drug consumption among different age groups and demographics. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and their implications, offering a comprehensive overview of the drug crime landscape in the UK. The report provides valuable information for researchers and policymakers seeking to understand and address the complex challenges posed by drug crime.

RESEARCHING,
REPRESENTING AND
EVIDENCING THE SOCIAL
WORLD - ASS081-2

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.........................................................................................................................3
Data analysis................................................................................................................................5
Analysis of Policy related to Drug crime in UK..........................................................................6
Reflection.....................................................................................................................................8
Research method and proposal....................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Topic: “Drugs crime in UK”
Background: Drug is defined as any substance which causes a change in an organism's
psychology when it is consumed. Drugs related crime is a crime which relate to possessing,
manufacturing and distribution of drugs. Not only that it also relate to Drugs trafficking and
drugs production. In the recent past it has been seen that number of the drug's crime in the
society has been rapidly growing.
Rationale: In the field of crime, Drug crime is the crime which is increasing at a rapid
rate due to increase in the demand of the same in the youth of the society. The current issue is
increasing the amount of Drugs crime in the UK. This report will throw the light on the same
issue by highlighting different stats and impact of same on society and will also explain different
regulation and measure of same.
Significance: This report will help society in understanding impact which is brought by
drug crime in UK. Also, this report will provide the information to the researcher who will be
conducting the research on the same topic in the future.
Literature Review
Theme 1: “Statistical review of Drugs Crime in UK”
Drug crime is the crime which relates to possessing, manufacturing and distribution of
drug. As per the article of Klein (2017), UK has seen good amount of rise in the Drug offence in
the recent past, this is well-supported by the evidence provided. As stats highlights that in the
year 2018-19 UK alone accounts for 151.47 thousand drugs offence, this data has seen the good
growth, as in the year 2017-18 their were 136.48 thousand drug offence in the UK. The article
also highlights that the year which has seen the tremendous growth in Drugs crime was 2009-10
as in that year there were 243 thousand drugs offence which was taken place.
Hurley (2018) in his article, highlights that out of all the drug offences Drug trafficking is
one of the most increasing drug offense in the UK, As out of total number of offence 25.17
thousand offences which was found was of a Drug trafficking. Drug trafficking is defined as
cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substance which are subject to drug prohibition
law in the UK. And it has been also find out that remaining 116 thousand offences was related to
the possession of the drugs in the nation.

…MacDonald and Pyle (2018) highlights that young adult group of 16 to 24 years are the
group which used to be more frequent drug user as compare to the other sector of the drug user
in the society. When looking at all the adult aged 16 to 59 years. 2.4 percent of all the adult used
to consume drugs on frequent basis. This is equivalent to total of 811 thousand people of the UK.
Facchin and Margola (2016) highlights that when focusing on just the age group of 16-24 years it
has been find out that 4.9 percent of the total adult used to frequent drug user. This is equivalent
to 312,000 young people.
In the published paper of Stark, Kidd and Sykes (2018) , it was identified that most of the
offence which was occurred was due to the consumption of cannabis drugs. As it was found that
34 percent of frequent consumer of drug used to consume cannabis. Whereas there is decline in
the powder cocaine drug offense as more than 52 percent of user who has consumed cocaine
powder has consumer just one or twice in a previous year. Also, consumption of ecstasy has also
seen the good amount of the decrease in the last few years. As articles shows that 73.8 percent of
the consumer who has consumed ecstasy has just consumed it for once or twice in the year.
Theme 2: “Impact of Drug Crime upon society”
Lanza and et.al., (2017) in his article pass on the view that negative health issue is the
biggest impact which is brought by the Drug crime in the society. As it used to increase the
chances of Mental Disorder, Psychosis, Road traffic accident and also may lead to death for the
consumer, this is not the positive sign for any of the society as every society needs a healthy
human resource to grow. Mendoza, Aldhaheri and Mccarthy (2018) has thrown light on the
topic by highlighting that, increase in number of the drug crime in the society has eventually
increased domestic disputes in the nation. As consumer of drug does not in good mental and
physical situation to be in the relationship with the other partner. This eventually increase
number of the domestic dispute in the nation.
Lyman (2016) highlights in the published paper that Drugs crime also used to have a
grate impact on the environment of the nation as well. As cultivation of drugs used to produce
the hazardous chemical in the environment which can create the negative impact on the society.
As chemical which are used in cultivating the drugs like meth and Flammable is hazardous in
nature. Lanza and et.al., (2017) on the same view points add some weight to the view point of
above author, by highlighting that, it also used to create the indirect impact on environment as
well. Cultivation of Drugs substance on public land used to impact the environment in negative

way as well. As Cultivators often dam streams and redirect the water through plastic, gravity fed
irrigation systems in order to water the plants.
Theme 3: “Reason for increasing Drugs crime in UK”
As explained by the other author as well that there is a good addiction to Drugs among
the adult in the UK. It has been also found out that there are many reasons which used to drive
the Drugs crime in the Nation. Yang and Xia (2019) pass on the view that, childhood experience
such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse generally used to create the stress in the mind of the
children from the starting stage itself. This eventually drives them toward building a good drugs
addiction which leads to Drugs crime in nation. At the same time lack of family support is also
one of the big factor which used to drive Drug addiction in the adult which provides a great
support to them in committing the Drug crime in the nation.
Possi (2018) highlights that one of the biggest reason UK is finding it difficult to reduce
the number of the drug crime in the UK is that Drugs addiction can be genetic. As it has been
observed in the past that the person who used to have a blood relative who is addicted, especially
a parent or full sibling, you have a higher risk for drug addiction.
Data analysis
From the secondary research it is observed that the drug crime is increased from 2017 to
2019 because of over consumption by youths. As per the Journal article, it is interpreted that over
the last ten years, the proportion of frequent users if both powder cocaine and ecstasy is
decreased among the age group of 16 to 59. While, the drugs used in general is increased among
the youth who are 16 to 24 years old as compared to age group of 16 to 59 years old (Drugs
Misuse: Findings from the 2017/18 crime survey for England and Wales, 2018). Moreover, as
per the Statistics on crime in England and Wales which was published in January 2017 there
were around 141,714 drugs conduct in which 25175 were used for trafficking and 116539 were
used for consumption. But these data represents the small fall over the previous year (How many
drugs crime committed, 2018).
Moreover, it is also analyzed from the secondary data i.e. from the Office for National
Statistics that there were 4359 deaths from the drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2018
which is considered one of the highest records. This in turns creates negative impact upon the

society and it is also increases from the last year as well. There were 2208 deaths involve
because of heroin and 637 deaths were also related to cocaine and this figure also clearly shows
that the drug crime is increases in UK from last years and this also results to death as well. In
addition to this, the death of male is increases due to drug i.e. 96.3 death per million people in
London. While, Wales, north-west and Yorkshire were also high (Fear of public health
emergency as drug deaths hit record levels, 2018).
Additionally, cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs in 2017-18 because
around 7.2 percent of adults whose age is in between 16 and 59 are used this. The records show
the highest estimate in nine years, and among younger adult whose age in between 16 to 24
cannabis was most commonly used drugs in 2017-18 and research shows that there were around
one million adults. Further, from the journal article it is also observed that the younger people are
more likely to take drug as compared to older ones whose age in between 55 to 59. Beside this, it
is also observed that there is an increase level of drug use and there is a higher number of
frequency of those people who visit pubs, bars and nightclubs.
In addition to this, research also reveals that people who living in the urban areas are
reported higher level f drug as compared to those who live in rural areas. Therefore, it is clearly
reflected that the drug consumption and drug crime is increases in UK because of over taking of
drugs and this in turn directly creates impact upon the society.
Analysis of Policy related to Drug crime in UK.
To control Drugs crime in UK, there are many types of the Legislation, Law and policy
has been made by the government of the UK.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: This act used to regulate the production, supply and
possession of controlled drugs in the nation. Controlled drugs has been listed in three different
categories. A, B and C. Class A drugs are classified as most harmful drugs. This includes the
drugs like cocaine and crack, heroin, LSD and methadone. Class B drugs are classified less
harmful drug as. Example of such drugs are All cathinone derivatives, including mepherdone,
methlone. Class C includes the drugs of anabolic steroids, minor tranquillizers, GBL and GHB.
This act has set out many types of criminal offence in regard to many types of the different
activity related to Controlled drugs. Such as Production of controlled drugs leads to 14 year
imprisonment for the drugs of C category. In the case of A and B categories punishment may

lead to life imprisonment. Supply or offering to supply controlled drugs also leads to the same
penalties for the consumer As 14 year imprisonment for the Class C category drugs and life
imprisonment for the class A and B drugs in the UK (Murji 2019). Possession offence of C drug
involved 2 year imprisonment. Whereas for the B and A class possession leads to 5 and 7 year
imprisonment respectively. When there is offence of possession with intent to supply for the
drugs of C and B class there is punishment of 14 year imprisonment. Whereas in the offence of
A class Drugs, punishment used to raise to the Life imprisonment. In the case someone permits
the activity to be take place in the premises, the penalty for all three class drugs are 14 year
imprisonment.
Under this Act the distinction has been made between the possession of controlled drug and
possession with intent to supply the same. As Drug Trafficking Act 1994 used to define the
different offence related to the drug trafficking in the UK. In addition to it in the year 2011
temporary class drug order was introduced by the way of the police reform and Social
responsibility Act 2011, which used to allow a faster response to the new psychoactive substance
supply offences.
Misuse Drugs Regulation 2001: This act was passed on with the purpose of providing
law full possession and supply of the controlled drugs for legitimate purpose. This act has set out
many laws which used to describe that this substance will be stored and it will be schedule for
regulation, depending on the usefulness of different doctor and therapeutic need (Beharry and
Gibbons, 2016). As in the past it was not that easy for the Doctor as well as for therapeutic also
to have a controlled drug in the nation.
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: This act was introduce by the government in plug-in
the gap between the existing legislation, which was not proving that adequately with what was
termed as a psychoactive substance. This has brought the blanket ban on variety of activity like
production, supply, possession with the intent too supply.
Research Method:

Reflection
After conducting the research and carry out the study, It has been find out that this report has
helped me in improving the level of knowledge about the Drug Crime in UK as in the past I was
not having that sort of the knowledge about the same. This knowledge will help me in building
the variety of the different study on the basis of the same in the future.
This report has also helped me in building the variety of the professional skill such as
Sourcing and communication skill. As this report is based on the secondary data it has driven me
to source the variety of the information regarding the topic this has eventually helped me in
improving the Sourcing skill. This study has also helped me in improving the communication
skill of mine as in the process of carrying out the study I have taken help of my college at every
different situation in the study, it has helped me in improving the same, as I used to use both
written and oral communication to communicate in the team.
This study has also helped me in improving the level of the interest of mine toward the topic, as
after going through the topic I have understood that this topic is very vast and there are many
aspects which are unknown by me.
Research method and proposal
Research is the proper investigation which has been conducted by the organization for
the purpose of solving the issue which is faced. Scholar has taken the Qualitative research as it
was getting very difficult for the scholar to present the outcome of the research in the numeric
form. Other option which was in front of scholar was quantitative research type in which the
result was presented in the form of numeric form.
Research approach is the different assumption regarding detailed method of data
collection, analysis and interpretation (Kumar, 2019) Scholar has taken help of deductive
approach to conduct the research, the reason behind the same is that it used to support the type of
the research which is selected that is qualitative research type. Scholar was having an option of
choosing inductive research approach as well, which look at testing already made theories.
Research philosophy is the belief of the scholar about the different phenomenon through
which data can be gathered, analysed and used. Scholar has taken help of the interpretivism
research philosophy to conduct the research. The reason behind the same is identified is that this
research philosophy has helped the scholar in understanding the human interest involved in the
study as well. Positivism research philosophy was the another type of the research philosophy

which may have selected by the scholar to carry out the same, which used to look at the natural
phenomena and their properties and relations.
Research Ethics: Scholar has taken care of variety of the ethics in conducting the
research. Scholar has maintained the high-level of confidentiality in the process of carrying out
the operation of the research (Bresler and Stake, 2017).. Scholar has also taken permission of the
different author before taking help of the different content which was published of the author.
Also, Scholar has make sure that the data which has been collected for the purpose of conducting
the research, is being collected with the reliable source.
Data Analysis is the process in which the collected data is presented in the way that it get
easier for the view to understand the same. Data will be collected with the help of the secondary
data collection tool by going through the different journal and article related to topic of the study.
Also, taking help of the already collected data analysis articles. Scholar has also taken help of the
thematic data analysis tool to analysis the data.
Research Question What is the current situation of Drug crime in UK? What Impact does Drug Crime have on the society?
 What are the factor which is increasing Drugs crime in UK?
CONCLUSION
After going through the above report it has been summarized that there is good sort of increase in
the Drug's crime in the UK in the recent past. As there is increase of 15000 offences of Drugs
crime in the last one year. After that the report summarized that there are many types of impact
which is brought by the Drug's crime on the society, as it used to increase home dispute and also
used to create the impact on the children and environment of country. After that the report
summarized that stress and abuse are few of the factor which used to drive the children toward
drugs. After that the report summarized that there are many types of laws which has been
developed in regard to Drugs crime such as Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Misuse Drugs Regulation
2001 and Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.

REFERENCES
Klein, A., 2017. Journeys into Drugs and Crime: Jamaican Men Involved in the UK Drugs
Trade. Drugs and Alcohol Today. 17(3). pp.201-202.
Hurley, R., 2018. Illicit drug use should not be a crime, says Royal College of Physicians. BMJ:
British Medical Journal (Online), 361.
MacDonald, Z. and Pyle, D.J. eds., 2018. Illicit Activity: The Economics of Crime, Drugs and
Tax Fraud: The Economics of Crime, Drugs and Tax Fraud. Routledge.
Facchin, F. and Margola, D., 2016. Researching lived experience of drugs and crime: A
phenomenological study of drug-dependent inmates. Qualitative health research.
26(12). pp.1627-1637.
Stark, C., Kidd, B. A. and Sykes, R. A., 2018. Illegal Drug Use in the United Kingdom:
Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement. Routledge.
Lanza, G and et.al., 2017. The impact of drugs for multiple sclerosis on sleep. Multiple Sclerosis
Journal. 23(1). pp.5-13.
Mendoza, O. M., Aldhaheri, S. and Mccarthy, L., 2018. Impact of an interstitial lung diseases
Nurse on the compliance to anti-fibrotic drugs in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary
Fibrosis.
Lyman, M. D., 2016. Drugs in society: Causes, concepts, and control. Routledge.
Yang, X. and Xia, G., 2019. Causes and Consequences of Drug Abuse: A Comparison Between
Synthetic Drug and Heroin Users in Urban China. AIDS Education and Prevention.
31(1). pp.1-16.
Possi, M. K., 2018. Effects of drug abuse on cognitive and social behaviours: A potential
problem among youth in Tanzania. Utafiti Journal. 3(1).
Murji, K., 2019. Policing drugs. Routledge.
Beharry, S. and Gibbons, S., 2016. An overview of emerging and new psychoactive substances
in the United Kingdom. Forensic science international, 267, pp.25-34.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Bresler, L. and Stake, R .E., 2017. Qualitative research methodology in music education. In
Critical Essays in Music Education (pp. 113-128). Routledge.

Onilne
Statistics review of Drugs crime in UK. 2019 [ONLINE] Available through
<https://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-drug-crimes-are-committed/>.
Drugs Misuse: Findings from the 2017/18 crime survey fro England and Wales, 2018 [online].
Available through: <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/
uploads/attachment_data/file/729249/drug-misuse-2018-hosb1418.pdf>.
Fear of public health emergency as drug deaths hit record levels, 2018. [online]. Available
through: <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/15/drug-poisoning-deaths-in-
england-and-wales-at-highest-level-ever-recorded>.
How many drugs crime committed, 2018. [online]. Available through:
<https://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-many-drug-crimes-are-committed/>.