ABSTRACT
Crime and violence associated with drug abuse take on different forms at different levels in society. There are forms of crime and violence associated with international cartels, there is violent crime perpetrated by or against individual drug abusers and there are innocent individuals who are caught in the crossfire of violent drug cultures. This chapter reviews the impact of drugs, crime and violence at the microlevel in society, addressing the relationship between drug abuse, crime and violence with respect to individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities and taking into account both criminality and victimization. It highlights the relationship between drug abuse and trafficking at the microlevel and the development of violence and crime at the community level. The implementation by governments of the provisions of the international drug control treaties dealing with drug abuse and trafficking contributes to a reduction in violence and crime, to the benefit of the prevailing social conditions in a country.
