Topical issues of drug addiction criminological characteristics in Ukraine

It has been noted that drug addiction is a person’s mental and physical dependence on narcotic substances that occurs as a result of systematic drug use. In the course of drug addiction, a pathological dependence on any narcotic substance develops, which is accompanied by physical and mental addiction to the drug, which in turn negatively affects the psychophysiological functioning of the body. It has been argued that the key problems of drug addiction in Ukraine are the following: socio-economic problems in the country; insufficient preventive work among the population; perception of drugs as a means of social interaction; lack of alternatives in solving personal problems; unproductive justice system; high level of corruption; low level of self-awareness; open borders. It has been stated that the criminological characteristic of drug addiction in Ukraine can be revealed through a combination of the following factors: drug addiction is a factor that contributes to the commission of crimes in order to obtain funds to buy drugs; drug addiction causes changes in the behaviour and thinking of the addict, and therefore may lead to an increase in the likelihood of committing crimes; it may be the cause of violence or other crimes, as it promotes aggressive behaviour and reduces inhibition; it reduces the social adaptation of the addict, which increases the likelihood that the person will become a criminal; drug addiction can cause a loss of control over one's own behaviour and a decrease in self-esteem, which, in turn, is a determining factor in crime. It has been summarised that crime and drug addiction are directly interrelated, which requires a comprehensive approach to counteract them. To combat this problem, it is necessary not only to provide medical care for drug addicts, but also to develop social and criminal policies that will help reduce the spread of drug addiction and the number of crimes committed