Police Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to shed light on a severe issue of alcohol and drug abuse among police officers. The stress reactions of police officers to several disturbing and threatening events can lead to cognitively, psychologically, and physically draining states that harm occupational performance. The maladaptive responses to trauma and stress are alcohol and other drug abuse, and such alcohol and drug abuse is prevalent among police officers. Four occupational demands have been identified by researchers that can set off alcohol abuse by police officers: authoritarian police managers' demands, depersonalization- unemotional reaction to the daily job stresses, organizational protection of officers from criticism, and routine consciousness of the dangers of the job. The enfeebling impacts of occupational stress, compounded with substance abuse have an effect not only job performance but also on family life of an officer. The responsibility of law enforcement agencies is to intervene in this matter to prevent downward spiral. Such intervention initiates with apprising officers to recognize and expect stress reactions and to employ constructive techniques of stress-management. In addition, mechanisms and services should be provided by agencies, for instance, trauma teams, professional and peer counseling, and guidance in the dangers of substance abuse.

Introduction4

Body: Discussion and Analysis4

External Police Stress5

Organizational Police Stress6

Stress Coping Mechanism- Alcohol & Drug Abuse6

Substance Abuse Programs for Law Enforcement7

Conclusion7

References9

Police- Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Introduction

Police work is not like any other job in the world. In the context of environment, the work is challenging and tedious, exciting and boring, unpredictable and routine, rewarding and frustrating. With regard to organizational context, officers may have to struggle with unreasonable procedures and policies, rigid command structures, and unfair treatment by superiors. It is quite understandable with a job description like this, that a great deal of job related stress is often experienced by police officers. Police work is considered to be one of the most stressful occupations by some researchers (Violanti and Aron 1993; Storch and Panzarella 1996; Finn 1997). Though there are many ways by means of which individual officers may cope with job related stress, a lot of them fall back on alcohol as a coping mechanism. This practice can often lead to both short and long-term problematic drinking behaviors. Numerous studies have suggested that police officers abuse alcohol at rates higher than individuals employed in other professions (Cooper 1986; Violanti, et. al., 1985; Bonifacio 1991; Blau 1994; Asen and Colon 1995; Finn 1997; Violanti 1999; Wright 1999). The Mollen commission has also determined that drug abuse among police has grown considerably in recent years, especially the use of cocaine and steroids.This study is aimed to provide a review of substance abuse among police officers.

Body: Discussion and Analysis

A strong connection is shown by several studies among occupational stress and substance abuse. Keeping in to consideration that law enforcement officers are under high stress, therefore, in spite of their high public profile, stress makes them strong candidates for problem related to substance ...