Sociological Analysis of Narcotics Consumption: A Durkheimian View

This essay applies a Durkheimian perspective to understand the consumption of illegal narcotics as a type of crime. It begins by defining Durkheimian criminology and the chosen crime, focusing on the use of opioid pain relievers. The essay then explores the causes of this crime, including experimental use, prescription drug abuse, and addiction, highlighting the role of stress relief and the potential for dependence. It examines the social roles and functions of crime, referencing classicism and positivism as societal approaches to prevent drug use. The essay also discusses Durkheim's strain theory, explaining how societal pressures and stressors contribute to criminal behavior. Ultimately, the essay concludes that social roles and perspectives are vital in preventing drug abuse and saving lives, while acknowledging the increasing harm of narcotics consumption on society. The essay references key sources to support its arguments.

How might a Durkheimian Perspective
Help to understand of chosen type of
crime
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Consumption of illegal narcotics.....................................................................................................3
Meaning of Durkheimian criminology or narcotics.....................................................................3
Causes of crime............................................................................................................................3
Social role or function of crime...................................................................................................4
Strain theory of Durkheim's idea.................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
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INTRODUCTION
Durkheim can be defined as the academic discipline of sociology which is concerned
with the way of societies in maintaining their integrity in modernity (Durkin and Phillips III,
2019). It plays an important role in preventing people from commiting crime specially from
using narcotics drug. This study will show some reasons of using this drug and becoming addict.
It will also show concequences of using narcotics drug as well as society roles in preventing
people from this.
Consumption of illegal narcotics
Meaning of Durkheimian criminology or narcotics
Durkheimian criminology can be defined as an criminal activity which an individual
chooses because they think that there is no reason not to. The chosen crime for this study is
consumption of nacrotics which is an opioid pain reliever as it is only used by individuals for
pain that is severe and which can not be treated by other types of painkillers. It needs to be used
only by prescription (Gushgari and et.al., 2018.). Using this drug to the great extent is considered
as a drug abuse as there are several people who utilize this drug without prescribed by registered
physicians. Elements of this drug are enough to increase risk for people who use them as an
addiction. In this context, it is also stated that there are several people who has made this as a
source of income as they sell these harmful drugs illegally for earning money. It can be harmful
for both people and teh society.
Causes of crime
There can be several reasons of using this drug illegally which is considered as a crime.
Drug addiction or consumption of illegal nacrotics can start with experimental use of rereational
drug in social situation. Those people who have used opioids or bacrotics on prescrition by
registered physicians, they are more likely to become drug addiction as they feel thatbyusing this
types of drug they can relieve stress as well as pain and it makes them addict. It can also be said
that the risk of adiction is mainly depend upon the type of drug. In the context of nacrotics or
opioids, it is stated that it has higher risk as compare to other drugs which can cause a person to
become become addicted (Murphy and Rossi, 2017) .
As time passes, people requires to take dose in larger amount in order to get high. After
consuming drugs, they feel good and stress free and it becomes difficult for people to even live
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without them. Attempts to stop drug usage may cause cravings which can make them physically
ill.
Social role or function of crime
In regard to stop crime, societies play an important role because they know consequences
of crimes and illegal use of drugs. According to the view of (Murphy, 2019) Classicism is being
used for preventing people against committing crime or utilizing drugs illegally. Classicism is an
aesthetic attitude which depends on principles based in art, culture with having emphasizes on
clarity of structure and perfection. It is all about human rights and rationality. It can be said that
this concept in regards to the social role in crimes, encourages legal authorities. The main aim of
developing this concept and role of government of making policies is to stop crimes and prevent
people from doing so.
Illegal use of drugs is increasing day by day and it does not only harm and having
negative effect on people's health but also have great impacts on their family. For preventing
people and making them stop to use narcotics illegally, it is important to implement effective
legislations. By doing this, societies are securing the future of the country from the darkness of
illegal consumption of narcotic drugs. So, it can be said that classicism work in an effective
manner and it is a type of social work.
As per the (Lottholz, 2018s) positivism is other approach which is being used by the
society in order to prevent people from committing crimes and using narcotics drug illegally. As
peer this approach, society rely on strong scientific evidence rather believing hypothetically and
depend on emotionally. It is called the true way in which society operates. On the other hand, it
is also stated that this theory or positivism draws on several problematic sets of assumptions such
as: determinism and differentiation. It is all about positivity by which, society believe that people
have no moral responsibility, and they are being forced to commit crime which are not in their
control. In the context of using narcotics drug, it can be said that as per this theory that, some
people take undue advantage of some innocent people emotionally and psychologically to use
narcotics drug.
So, it can be said that both classicism and positivism approaches are being used by
societies in order to reduce crimes.
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Strain theory of Durkheim's idea
Strain theory is a criminology theory according to which, society puts pressure on people
to achieve socially accepted goals. This theory believes that there are some factors and stressors
which increases the likelihood of crimes and it all leads to negative emotions such as: anger and
frustration. Crime is one of the main response of all these emotions. So, it can be said that
stressors and all factors are the main reason of committing crimes (Ford and Yohros, 2018.).
Strain could be:
Individual: It refers frictions and pains which are being experienced by an individual as
they look for ways by which they can satisfy his-her needs. For example: Societies want to
become significant to a person and want to make them important.
Structural: It is a societal level process which affects ways of people as how they
perceive needs. There is an inadequate regulation which may change individual's perceptions as
to means and opportunities.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that social roles or classicism and
positivism played a vital role in preventing people from drugs abusing or helping them out to
save their life. It has also shown that consumption of narcotics illegally is the biggest type of
crime which is increasing and hurting the lives of the society.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Durkin, K.F. and Phillips III, D.W., 2019. The Response of Religious Institutions to the Opioid
Epidemic: A Durkheimian Perspective. Journal of Sociology and Christianity, 9(2),
pp.101-106.
Ford, J.A. and Yohros, A., 2018. Understanding Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use: The
Importance of Criminological Theory. The Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic: Incidence,
Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, p.283.
Gushgari, A.J. and et.al., 2018. Tracking narcotics consumption at a Southwestern US university
campus by wastewater-based epidemiology. Journal of hazardous materials. 359. pp.437-
444.
Lottholz, P., 2018. Critiquing anthropological imagination in peace and conflict studies: from
empiricist positivism to a dialogical approach in ethnographic peace research. International
Peacekeeping. 25(5). pp.695-720.
Murphy, T., 2019. Terror and trafficking in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India: a routine activity
approach.
Murphy, T.E. and Rossi, M., 2017. Following the Poppy Trail: Causes and Consequences of
Mexican Drug Cartels (No. 130).
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