The impact of heroin on US crime has been seen throughout the nation for decades.

It’s no secret that drugs and crime go hand in hand. Those who are addicted are driven by their withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings to do nearly anything they have to, to get their next fix. Hence we see a dovetail of criminal activity and substance abuse manifesting in the form of prostitution, drug trafficking, theft and burglary as well as betrayal of those closest to the addict.

What exactly is the link between opiate use and criminal activity? Is prison the

answer for heroin addicted criminals?

Research Confirms Connection Between Heroin Addiction and Crime

Heroin use is linked to significant crime along, likely due to its potency and severe risk for dependency. A recent study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that nearly a quarter of those who try heroin become addicted.

Additional research sponsored by the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, confirms the link between criminality and heroin addicts. In a study of over 200 male opiate addicts randomly chosen from a list of over 4,000 known opiate addicts, subjects were interviewed to obtain information about their drug habits, criminal activity and personal lifestyle. Researchers concluded a six-fold increase of criminal behavior in the individuals during times of heroin use as compared with drug-free periods of their life.

Experts also concluded that such individuals require comprehensive drug treatment in order to achieve real reform, as opposed to mere prison time which doesn’t offer sufficient rehabilitative strategies to struggling addicts.

Read additional information concerning this study by clicking here.

Narconon Program: Solutions to Addiction and Criminality

The Narconon Program offers a truly unique substance abuse treatment program. Because each step of the program can be 100% individualized, students are able to relate the information studied and learned to their own lives, their personal issues and struggles.

Although the Narconon Program is considered non-traditional (by way of being a non-12 Step program), the long-term, comprehensive tools used in targeting an individual’s past bad habits truly lay the foundation for a successful future. Some of the important elements of treatment found at Narconon are:

• Individual “Checklist” Style Courses – Students study their Narconon Treatment courses independently (with assistance where needed) at their own pace. Each individual is given materials and an accompanying checklist which lists exact steps and instructions for finishing the course. Each step of the courses include exercises, reading material, essays, drills, etc., which cultivate a student’s ability to apply the information studied therein. After signing off each step of the checklist in this manner, together with a course supervisor the course is considered complete.
• Biophysical Sauna Detox Step – Drug and alcohol residuals have been found to remain lodged in the tissues of the body even years after substance abuse has ceased. Along with a special formula of supplements and minerals and plenty of hydration, participants go in and out of a dry heat sauna, sweating out the toxic substances residing in one’s body which can cause mental fogginess, drug cravings and emotional instability.
• Restoring Life Skills – The basic yet important skills of communication, building important relationships, planning and organization are vital to a successful and sober life. The Life Skills portion of the Narconon Program covers these important topics comprehensively and encourages each student to take responsibility their past betrayals and misdoings and, moving forward, plot a new course of action founded on personal values, integrity and accountability.

Heroin abusers often enter treatment wearing a tremendous burden of guilt. At Narconon, students gradually resolve more and more of the underlying issues related to their substance abuse and the transgressions committed against their loved ones. At the end of the program, students are able to make a fresh start at life, free from the chains of addiction.