Successful accomplishment of the program leads to the offender's file being expunged (Schuckit, 2006). Drug courts have also been established with the aim of diminution of recidivism and drug abuse amongst non-violent drug abusing reprobates by increasing their chances of successful restoration through early, continuous intense judicial supervision of treatment, mandatory and regular drug testing and the use of appropriate restrictions (Mears, 2010) and other rehabilitation services
These include plans developed in order to hold the offenders responsible for the criminal acts and place them in closely supervised programs with the aim of reestablishing the offenders in the society without a felony record after a successful achievement of various requirements. These may comprise admitting to having committed the said crime, consistently reporting to a probation officer, completing the assigned community service, undergoing frequent drug tests, paying all compensations (Bean, 2008) to the victims of the crime he/she committed and paying all court costs
Substance abuse can be defined simply as a maladaptive use of any harmful substance for the purposes of mood-altering and not limited to the use of prohibited drugs or the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs with an intention other than that for which it is recommended or in a way or in quantities other than instructed (Bennett & Holloway, 2005)
This may consist of commition of a crime against a victim by the criminal, as well as self-victimization due to mood changes instigated by drug abuse. The crimes also consists crimes carried out by persons experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as heightened levels of anxiety (Reamer, 2005) and petulance and intentional intake of a substance in order to alleviate anxieties and arouse courage in preparation of violent criminal acts
Use of crystal meth/methamphetamine and speed/amphetamine makes the abuser feel strong, energetic and confident in a short duration but with the high, may cause panic, irritability and a paranoid feeling that everybody is watching him/her. Smoking methamphetamine (crystal meth) enables one to get a prolonged high but with a terrible comedown, leaving one with a sense of hopelessness and sadness The long-term effects of using the above drugs may include permanent depression caused by regular injection of speed into the blood stream and difficulties in thinking, remembering, finding solutions to problems and coping with one's emotions (Schuckit, 2006)
Thus, criminals who use are seen not merely as drug users but also as people who are likely to execute drug dealings, robbery, identity theft and other offenses to support their patterns. A similar analysis has been employed to gang members and those using guns to commit violent crimes (Miron, 2004)
System related crimes on the other hand include criminal acts that are directly and circumlocutorily connected to the system of drug supply and distribution, which often has a propensity of being associated with the execution of violent crimes. However, these are not only limited to drug possession and manufacturing violations, but also the acts of violence stemming from dealings between drug dealers; competition for the substance markets and buyers; clashes and rip-offs amongst persons engaged in the illegitimate drug souk; spoiled drug deals; recognition of police informers or undercover law enforcement officers; killing as a means of instilling systemic codes; murdering of informants; harm or death due to disputes over drug ownership; territory amongst others (WALTERS, 2002)
The researcher employed use three different surveys to assess the levels of aggression and types of behaviors exhibited by females and males of varying ages and backgrounds. The primary index used was the Index of Clinical Stress or ICS, a 25 item instrument designed to measure the degree or magnitude clients had with stress (Abell, 1991)
Behavioral types that are more likely to demonstrate aggression include those that researchers have labeled 'dysfunctional' and may include poor self-esteem, high irritability, overly stressed and anxious personality types (Chilton & Jarvis, 1999; Graham & Wells, 2001). The research available suggests that a number of factors may contribute to these behavioral tendencies including socioeconomic factors, a student's reputation and peer pressure inside and outside of a school or work environment (Bateman, 1998)
Both sexes were found to demonstrate more aggression behaviors when in a social setting and under the influence of alcohol, regardless of any pre-determined behavioral type, suggesting that alcohol and other environmental factors may play a role in aggression (Bateman, 1998). Still other studies suggest that aggressive behaviors may be associated with natural or innate biological functions that are geared toward maintaining one's dominance within a social group and may also include territorial defense (Cairns & Stoff, 1996)
Literature Review Aggression and Behavior Types This study focuses on aggression and behavior types. A majority of the studies that have been conducted in the past suggest that men are more likely than women to be aggressive, a fact supported by statistics which indicate that men are more likely to commit aggressive crimes than women (Chilton & Jarvis, 1999)
Method The primary method adopted for purposes of this research is a survey methodology. Survey methodology is continuously supported by researchers and is one of the more commonly used forms of data collection for gathering information about a general or specific social or behavioral phenomena (Church, 2001)
In addition their research supports the notion that different life experiences between men and women result in behavioral differences and aggressive patterns in both sexes (Graham & Wells, 2001). Interestingly a large body of evidence also supports the notion that when either men or women are in a social setting, the chances for aggression increase exponentially, particularly when alcohol is involved, no matter the person's behavioral type, though individuals who generally label themselves as more anxious or irritable are more likely to demonstrate outwardly aggressive tendencies than those that do not (Dodge, 1991)
595). Still other research supports the notion that men are more likely to score higher than women on personality tests and measures that rank physical aggression (Graham & Wells, 2001)
al, 1998). These behavioral problems may include a history of violent criminal activity or perceived 'trouble making' that generally begins at an early age or during the early school years and continues through adulthood (Price & Dodge, 1989)
96 and "strong factorial validity as well as fair construct validity," correlating in the predicted direction with the Generalized Contentment Scale and Index of Family Relations (Abell, 1991). The asst or Assertiveness Self Statement test, a "32 item instrument designed to measure self statement in assertion related problems" was also selected for purposes of the study (Schwartz & Gottman, 1976)
A majority of the studies that have been conducted in the past suggest that men are more likely than women to be aggressive, a fact supported by statistics which indicate that men are more likely to commit aggressive crimes than women (Chilton & Jarvis, 1999). Other studies suggest that aggression patterns are correlated with behavioral patterns when children are very young (Stanton, Baldwin & Rachuba, 1997)
Aggressive bully-like behavior in schools is most often caused by an "identifiable group of bullies who systematically victimize specific groups of their peers." (Bartini) the definition of a bully is someone who uses physical or verbal aggression on something of a regular basis against other young people
Studies indicate that starting in middle school, bullies are considered 'cool,' while their victims are rejected from the social milieu." (Smith-Heavenrich) Early adolescence is when the competitive, cutthroat mindset begins to emerge in the form of bullying
"Phenomenology is concerned with the study of experience from the perspective of the individual, 'bracketing' taken 'for' granted assumptions and usual ways of perceiving. Epistemologically, phenomenological approaches are based in a paradigm of personal knowledge and subjectivity, and emphasise the importance of personal perspective and interpretation" (Lester 1999: 1)