Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out, and Crime Prevention?

• In Event: Exploring Theory and Method in Substance Use Research

Abstract

The prevailing discourse on drug policy often frames substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and cannabis as catalysts of criminal behavior, justifying their continued prohibition. However, emerging research suggests that these substances, when administered in therapeutic settings, may serve as tools for healing, emotional regulation, and mental health improvement—key factors in criminal desistance. Studies indicate that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown efficacy in treating PTSD and depression, conditions linked to instability and violent behavior. Similarly, ketamine therapy has demonstrated rapid-acting antidepressant effects, alleviating suicidality and aggression. Cannabis, long stigmatized in criminological debates, is increasingly recognized for its role in anxiety reduction and improved coping. By synthesizing these findings within a broader criminological framework, this paper interrogates the paradox of criminalizing substances that might help reduce crime by addressing underlying causes of violence and recidivism. Furthermore, it explores the potential for integrating these substances into crime prevention measures as therapeutic tools to address root contributors to criminal behavior. Based on this discussion, we propose a paradigm shift: reframing controlled substances not as criminal liabilities but as potential public safety interventions. This theoretical exploration challenges punitive drug policies and advocates for a research-informed reconsideration of psychedelic decriminalization as a strategy for holistic crime prevention.

Authors

• Maryanne Diaz, California State University, Long Beach

• Sam Vickovic, California State University, Long Beach