The question:
The link between drugs and crime is more complex than it first appears. Critically discuss this claim.
The planning
Here are some things to think about/ensure you cover as you undertake this work:
- Firstly, think about the exact nature of this ‘link’ – is it causal, is it casual, is it spurious, or maybe even something else?
- Think about main interpretations: drug use ‘causes’ crime; crime ‘causes’ drug use; xyz ‘causes’ both.
- There is a wide literature base here so target your reading. Inverted pyramid works best – start with a wide base, then refine down to a tight point.
- Evidence is available here to support your claims – search journals and online resources for the numbers/figures you need.