Book excerpt: For courses in drugs and alcohol in criminal justice. The social impact of drug abuse, through a criminal justice lens Drugs, Society, and Criminal Justice is a comprehensive, easy-to-read introduction to drug-taking behavior and its impact on the criminal justice system. Building on sociological theory, the authors explore the social problems associated with drug abuse, a range of drug-control policies and their enactment, and the complex relationship between drug-¿taking behavior and crime. The 5th edition has been extensively updated, with a brand-new Part II focused on criminal justice topics related to drug abuse and drug law. This edition also includes chapter-level reorganizations throughout the text and updated features prompting discussion, assignments, and deeper comprehension.