Despite disparities some Epidemiology/Public Health and Criminology/Criminal Justice issues are so closely related as to be virtually inseparable in some areas, though few scholars have published anything that directly highlights their convergence.
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Government (often Criminal Justice) policies may actually harm public health care efforts and the health of the society as a whole by creating and perpetuating dis-ease... (Why) does the Criminal Justice system continue to ignore health facts and create damage and social harm by advocating and enforcing the current marijuana policy? Obviously, “since they are only enforcing the law”. However, EpiCrim (Epidemiological Criminology) advocates a health-based Criminal Justice system that would argue that perhaps law should be designed to reduce rather than contribute to social harm, decay and dis-ease. Based on the gateway (to other drugs) hypothesis, both alcohol and tobacco should be criminalized as well, IF health is the priority...
EpiCrim is one venue for addressing (crime as a) social plague. First, causal mechanisms must be identified; just as medical staff must identify and isolate causes to disease prior to effective treatment.
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Health care professionals, both workers and researchers, within Criminal Justice environments are in a unique and favorable position to recognize victims of crimes that correctional officers, police and prosecutors may overlook.
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