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Special Report: Crime and security – trends and solutions (ISSN 17414474)
A heroin epidemic in the United States?
‘Equilibrium points’ in criminal activity may be relatively few: by its very nature crime appears to be a dynamic and constantly evolving phenomenon. However, there do seem to be periods of slower and faster change. Changes in the pattern of criminal activity can be on the so-called ‘supply side’ – the emergence of new types or sources of drugs, for example – or on the ‘demand side’ – the emergence of new requirements for illicit goods or services. Often change has both demand and supply implications. An important current demand-side trend with implications for Latin America is the rising consumption of heroin and opioids in the United States. There are reasons to believe it may have far-reaching implications.
- Executive summary
- The homicide rate: fluctuating, but too high
- Organised crime remains resilient
- Crime remains a profitable business
- A heroin epidemic in the United States?
- Colombian cocaine production surges ahead
- Prison reform is urgently needed
- White collar crime: the battle against ‘grand corruption’
- The criminal justice system struggles to cope