The Effect of Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity on Crime Rates free essay sample

Methamphetamine destroys the body’s neurological processes, leading to impulsive behavior and ultimately breaking the law. Over 56% of state prisoners committed their crimes while under the influence of an illicit substance (Mumola 1). Out of all crimes committed while under the influence of a drug in 2004, 64% of them were petty theft and property offenses, such as burglary or larceny. The use of methamphetamines causes neurotoxic effects on serotonin neurons, resulting in anxiety and mood swings which could spur an individual into committing non-aggressive crimes. Methamphetamines also behave as neurotoxins to dopamine, resulting in a deficit of the neurotransmitter (Kish 1679). Depletion of serotonin and dopamine in the brain cause symptoms of depression, obsessive compulsive behavior (such as the actions of the stereotypical â€Å"tweaker†) and anxiety (â€Å"Methamphetamine in the Brain†). After long term use, dopamine and serotonin-induced depress ion can lead the addict to commit acts of thievery in order to purchase more methamphetamines, which become the body’s main neurotransmitter release stimulant. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effect of Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity on Crime Rates or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Short term use of methamphetamines promotes paranoia, sleeplessness, depression and anxiety (â€Å"Short Term Use†). Further use of the substance causes these symptoms to become more severe, resulting in depression and a loss of functional social behavior (â€Å"Long Term Use†). Liz Sonneborn’s book, Frequently Asked Questions about Shoplifting and Theft, notes how many chronic shoplifters suffer from imbalances in serotonin levels, which cause depression and obsessive behaviors (31). Methamphetamines are psychomotor stimulants that flood neurotransmitter-receptors, tricking the mind into releasing a magnified high that, under normal circumstances, would only be experienced at a slight degree (â€Å"Methamphetamine in the Brain†). However, repeated administration of methamphetamines to lab rats shows that after long term use, methamphetamines significantly reduce the amount of serotonin and dopamine content and uptake in the body by acting as a neurotoxins (Cass 8132). Once methamphetamines become neurotoxins, the resulting depletion of serotonin and dopamine in the body cause severe depression when not high, as dopamine is responsible for the experiencing of pleasure and pain (Erickson). Methamphetamines also act as receptor desensitizers, actually reducing the number of neurotransmitter receptors and causing the addict to build a tolerance to the drug. Therefore, depression is stimulated because the individual experiences limited enjoyment when not on methamphetamines, and a progressive decrease of enjoyment while high. Depression further spurs theft (Khimm). An article by The Washington Post states the National Bureau of Economic Research discovered that non-violent theft is the only crime that can statistically be attributed to depression among adolescents and young adults. Depression of this level could be attributed to methamphetamine usage, and a study in 2004 showed that out of the 53% of state prisoners who regularly used drugs, 14.9% used methamphetamines, 36% claimed they continued usage despite emotional problems, such as depression, and 34% claimed to have an increase in tolerance to the illicit substance (Mumola 2). In the case of methamphetamines, this signifies that over a third of users continue using methamphetamines despite having severe depression. Furthermore, the 34% who showed an increase in tolerance would also be using higher dosages of meth, further shutting down their neurotransmitter receptors. Depression aside, dramatic decreases in serotonin levels have an inve rse relationship with impulsive behavior (Raine 96). Impulsivity has a significant effect on property crime (Zimmerman 69-70). In Gregory Zimmerman’s book, statistics show that an individual who exhibits normal impulsivity has a probability of 11% of engaging in property crime, such as burglary. However, when impulsivity rises by one standard deviation, the probability of engaging in a property crime increases from approximately 11% to 23%. One of the defining roles of serotonin is to mediate behavioral inhibition (Dalley 41). The decline in serotonin concentration and uptake causes individuals to less effectively correlate rewarded and punished responses. This means that whereas one individual may associate shoplifting with being fined or sued, an individual with decreased serotonin levels, due to methamphetamines, will identify the rewards of shoplifting and the punishments of being caught as two unrelated events. Along with causing the deterioration of users, methamphetamines also have an undeniable negative effect on the lives of others (Mumola 1). Methamphetamine causes the depletion of chemicals that naturally make people feel happy and replace it with feelings of depression and impulsive disorders (â€Å"Short Term Disorders†). The general lack of happiness caused by the use of meth results in higher crime rates, and although the crimes are generally nonviolent, they still detract from the safety of people’s homes and their rights to their property (Mumola 1). Works Cited Cass, Wayne A. GDNF Selectively Protects Dopamine Neurons over Serotonin Neurons Against the Neurotoxic Effects of Methamphetamine. Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience 16.24 (1996): 8132-139. Journal of Neuroscience. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Dalley, J. W., and J. P. Roiser. Dopamine, Serotonin and Impulsivity. Neuroscience 215 (2012): 42-58. Science Direct. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Erickson, Carlton. Dopamine- A Sample Neurotransmitter. Understanding Addiction. University of Texas at Austin, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. Khimm, Suzy. Study: Teen Depression Linked to Higher Property Crime, but Not Violent Crime. Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Kish, Stephen J. Pharmacologic Mechanisms of Crystal Meth. Canadian Medical Association Journal 178.13 (2008): 1679-682. Cmaj.ca. Canadian Medical Association, 17 June 2008. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Long Term Effects. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Methamphetamine in the Brain. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Raine, Adrian. Crime and Schizophrenia: Causes and Cures. New York: Nova Science, 2006. Google Books. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Short Term Effects. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Sonneborn, Liz. Frequently Asked Questions about Shoplifting and Theft. New York: Rosen, 2012. Google Books. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Mumola, Christopher J., Jennifer C. Karberg. United States. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004. Ojp.usdoj.gov. Oct. 2006. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Zimmerman, Gregory M., and National Institute Of Justice. Impulsivity, Offending, and the Neighborhood: Investigating the Person-Context Nexus. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest, 2009. Books.google.com. Google Books. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.