This paper analyzes chronologically the different stages – ranging from “Drugs before Imprisonment” (2.), “Addiction in Prison” (3.) to “After Release” (4.) that can be linked with substance abuse. In” Drugs before Imprisonment” (2.1) first, the theoretical correlation between substance abuse and crime is outlined by introducing the ideas of different scholars. In the second part, “Drugs and Deliquency in Practice” (2.2) the focus turns from theory to a more practical observation of a possible correlation.

The chapter “Addiction in prison” examines several subitems: In 3.1 the “Security Problem” is outlined and how it is possible that drugs can infiltrate prison walls. The subchapter 3.2 talks about “Trends concerning consumed illicit Substances” in prison, while subchapter 3.3 will be concerned with the “Costs of Drugs in prison”. As the latter section suggests, costs do not only have an economic dimension. It talks moreover about the negative effects drugs can have on the prison environment. Closing chapter 3, “Treating Addiction in Prison” deals with the provided or non-provided services in prison for medical treatment. In the fourth chapter “After Release” the challenges of being confronted with an easier access to drugs after being released are emphasized.

“Alternatives to Imprisonment” encompasses two major ideas of dealing with increasing numbers of drug-related convicts: The subchapter “Trend: Softening Prison Sentences” examines that many countries approach a loosening in punishment. “Drug Courts” is another model that attempts to obtain individuals in their familiar environment with frequent supervision. In the last section, two countries are compared regarding their drug laws: Germany and Turkey.