Drug abuse has been a major problem in the United States. It dates back to the 1800s. Drug abuse has also had a strong influence on our youth. Drug addiction is the result of drug abuse. Drug addiction leads to an increase in crime due to the cost of many drugs sold on the streets. Drug addiction is a disease that requires medical treatment to overcome. There are different types of drugs classified into different categories, which will be discussed below. The United States constantly struggles to control drug abuse. First let's talk about the history of drug abuse. Drug abuse has been a major problem in the United States. Drug abuse is directly linked to crime. Many drug addicts commit crimes to fuel their addiction. The relationship between drug abuse and crime is a very important political issue. Between 1800 and early 1900, drug abuse was not widespread. It was associated with small groups, such as musicians, artists and very imaginative people. Opium dens developed in West Coast cities. It then spread across the country, resulting in an increase in Asian immigrants. Chinese immigrants had imported their opium products, which further spread its use in America. Psychoactive substances became widespread in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Timothy Leary was a professor at Harvard University. He was also a very influential figure during this movement. People began to see the drug as a recreational substance. Many young people then began to abuse drugs. Drugs have had a huge impact on our youth over the years. Every year, children are exposed to drugs at a young age. Marijuana use is one of the most abused drugs by adolescents in the United States. MTF studies were conducted to collect in...... half of the document ...... tice Populations- A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introductionAsia, D.T. (n.d.). Risk of diseases related to drug use. Retrieved from Alcohol Rehab: www.alcoholrehab.com/alcohol-rehab/risk-of-disease-with-drug-use/Gaiter, DJ (1982, February 14). Study says drugs influence criminal behavior. Retrieved from The New York Times: www.nytimes.com/1982/02/14/nyregion/study-says-drugs-influence-criminal-behavior.htmlSchmalleger, F. (2012). Criminolgoy Today: an integrative introduction. In F. Schmalleger, Criminolgoy Today: an integrative introduction (pp. 230-350). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.Treatment, AR (n.d.). Drug addiction diseases. Retrieved from Axis Residential Treatment: www.axisresidentialtreatment.com/drug-addiction/disease/