SOC 124 Lecture Notes - Drug User, Edwin Sutherland, Binge Drinking
Document Summary
Introduction: changes in federal law require all sentenced federal offenders to serve at least 87% of their court imposed sentences. Many drug offenders are subject to mandatory minimum sentences based on the type and quantity of drugs involved in the arrest: according to a 2007 national survey on drug use and health, 9. 3 million americans (or. 3. 7%) ages 12 and older reportedly working current users of illicit drugs other than marijuana. Functionalist perspective: functionalists argue that society provides us with norms or guidelines on drug use. The strain occurs when the demands of one"s role exceed one"s ability and resources to fill that role. Conflict perspective: although many drugs can be abused, conflict theorists argue that intentional decisions have been made over which drugs are illegal and which ones are not. Powerful political and business interests groups are able to manipulate our images of drugs and their users.
