Binswanger, I. A., Nguyen, A. P., Morenoff, J. D., Xu, S., & Harding, D. J. (2020). The association of criminal justice supervision setting with overdose mortality: A longitudinal cohort study.Addiction, 115(12), 2329-2338. Web.
In this article, the role of criminal justice supervision is viewed as a potentially significant factor in reducing the death rate of prisoners from an overdose, including synthetic opioids as dangerous substances gaining popularity. Based on the results of the study, about 15% of prison deaths were due to overdoses. The findings prove that control through the provision of harm reduction and treatment services to the target public is an important initiative to prevent mortality.
This article is important to my research work as a resource that offers relevant statistics on deaths in American correctional facilities. In addition, the role of the criminal justice system is viewed from the perspective of assistance rather than punishment, which is also a significant incentive to promote efficient preventive practices. The findings can be utilized to prove the value of targeted activities to reduce the use of dangerous synthetic drugs in populations at risk.
Collins, M. (2021). Synthetic cannabinomimetics: A brief history and the challenges they pose for the forensic chemist.Australian Journal of Chemistry, 74(6), 405-415. Web.
The authors describe the history of the appearance of synthetic drugs in the illegal market and mention the difficulties that forensic chemists have faced in identifying the compounds of illicit substances. In particular, to identify the composition of new drugs that began to be produced in large quantities, criminologists needed special spectrometers, which were in short supply in many laboratories. As a result, the massive hit of synthetic drugs in the market was a challenge for forensic chemists due to problems in identifying the composition of these substances and, therefore, their legality.
When applied to my research work, this article offers a valuable rationale in support of the difficulty of bans on synthetic drugs. Arguments about ever-changing formulations can be utilized usefully as justification for the complex work that forensic chemists face. The findings also highlight the unique problems associated with synthetic drugs, particularly the ever-changing composition and the inability to control new formulas due to the lack of equipment.
Maxwell, J. C. (2018). The changing face of synthetic cannabinoids in Texas.Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 50(4), 281-286. Web.
The key purpose of this study is to examine changes in the dynamics of synthetic cannabinoid use by Texas residents from 2009 to 2016. One of the main findings is identifying relevant trends from a demographic perspective, and the Hispanic and Latino males are the population with the most frequent use of this type of drug. Compared to 2011, the situation worsened in 2016, but in 2014, the indicators of the medical outcomes of synthetic substances use were the highest and most alarming.
For my research, this article can be used as a valuable resource containing accurate statistics for a specific region. In addition, the analysis of demographic variables reinforces the practical value of the work done, and these findings can be included in the discussion of vulnerable populations. The medical effects of substance abuse, which are also described in the article, can be cited as crucial health impacts.
Miller, J. M., Stogner, J. M., Miller, B. L., & Blough, S. (2018). Exploring synthetic heroin: Accounts of acetyl fentanyl use from a sample of dually diagnosed drug offenders.Drug and Alcohol Review, 37(1), 121-127. Web.
This study evaluates the destructive nature of acetyl fentanyl as a dangerous synthetic drug causing numerous deaths in the United States and abroad. Through interviews with inmates of one of the American prisons, the authors identify trends in the use of this substance and motives. An important finding is that in most cases, drug addicts were unaware that the drug they were using was of a synthetic nature, which, in turn, increased health risks.
The value of the article in relation to my research lies in an opportunity to expand the knowledge about the threat of synthetic drugs and how they are distributed. Criminal justice representatives should pay attention to the control over the sale of this illegal drug since the interviewed participants confirmed its danger. The case for increased supervision of the illicit marketing of acetyl fentanyl can also be included in the research paper.
Ravisankar, P., Rao, P. R., Babu, P. S., Srikanth, D., Reddy, C. V., Deepthi, O. V., & Divya, G. (2018). The latest statistical report of the global synthetic drugs. Indian Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biotechnology, 6(2), 59-64.
This study offers extensive findings on global synthetic drug use statistics. The authors evaluate the reports of different countries on the dynamics of the increase in the number of addicts and divide the population in accordance with specific criteria, particularly nationality and gender. One of the main outcomes of the work done is identifying the total number of synthetic drug addicts, which is important information for the criminal justice field.
With regard to my research, the proposed statistics may help prove the idea of a significant threat that synthetic drugs pose. The data from individual countries can be collated to identify regions at risk and assess local activities to prevent the illicit spread of these substances. The efforts of global health agencies can also be cited as important additions to the assessment of the problem.
Roman-Urrestarazu, A., Yang, J., Robertson, R., McCallum, A., Gray, C., McKee, M., & Middleton, J. (2019). Brexit threatens the UK’s ability to tackle illicit drugs and organised crime: What needs to happen now?Health Policy, 123(6), 521-525. Web.
The authors examine the political restraints that prevent representatives of criminal justice from controlling the sale of illegal substances, including synthetic drugs. The main emphasis is on the UK and Brexit as a process that distracts from effective work in this direction and complicates the interaction of British medical institutions with European ones. The findings suggest that the end of this collaboration may negatively impact synthetic drug control in the UK.
The arguments from this study can be used in my work as evidence that sustainable interaction between the criminal justice and healthcare systems is necessary. Moreover, the arguments for political participation in drug regulation should be included to analyze what measures to address the issue may be taken at the national level. Control mechanisms will be presented as multi-vector activities in which different stakeholders are involved.
Smith, K. E., Bunting, A. M., Staton, M., Walker, R., Shalash, S., Winston, E., & Pangburn, K. (2017). Examination of synthetic cannabinoid and cathinone use among a drug-using offender sample, 2013-2015.Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 49(5), 436-445. Web.
The article offers the analysis of the use of synthetic drugs by addicts from the perspective of changes in this indicator in the period from 2013 to 2015. According to the study, those drug addicts who used synthetic substances confirmed a higher dependence and frequency of use, in contrast to those who did not use such drugs. The authors emphasize the importance of adequate measures to control the trafficking of such substances to reduce mortality and negative health outcomes of the population.
The breadth of statistics and the exact dynamics of cases are critical criteria to mention in my work. In addition, the practical relevance of my research paper can be enhanced due to temporal correlations that support deterioration in health outcomes caused by persistent synthetic drug use. This article is an important source demonstrating the relevance of the work of preventive services and criminal justice representatives.
Smith, K. E., & Staton, M. (2019). Synthetic cannabinoid use among a sample of individuals enrolled in community-based recovery programs: Are synthetic cannabinoids actually preferred to other drugs?Substance Abuse, 40(2), 160-169. Web.
The article’s goal is to determine the dynamics of the use of synthetic drugs among citizens participating in several community rehabilitation programs. The key findings relate to confirmed correlations between the use of these drugs and criminal behavior manifestations. However, the authors argue that drugs of this nature are not preferred by those surveyed during the study due to their severe health and life-threatening effects.
I can use the findings of this article in my research to show that synthetic drugs are dangerous substances that can stimulate criminal behaviors and be addictive. The arguments about their destructive nature may also be included in the discussion to highlight health risks. Proposals to criminal justice representatives can be made about the need for careful control over the illicit trafficking of these drugs.