Monday, March 30, 2020

The Effect of Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity on Crime Rates free essay sample

Methamphetamine destroys the body’s neurological processes, leading to impulsive behavior and ultimately breaking the law. Over 56% of state prisoners committed their crimes while under the influence of an illicit substance (Mumola 1). Out of all crimes committed while under the influence of a drug in 2004, 64% of them were petty theft and property offenses, such as burglary or larceny. The use of methamphetamines causes neurotoxic effects on serotonin neurons, resulting in anxiety and mood swings which could spur an individual into committing non-aggressive crimes. Methamphetamines also behave as neurotoxins to dopamine, resulting in a deficit of the neurotransmitter (Kish 1679). Depletion of serotonin and dopamine in the brain cause symptoms of depression, obsessive compulsive behavior (such as the actions of the stereotypical â€Å"tweaker†) and anxiety (â€Å"Methamphetamine in the Brain†). After long term use, dopamine and serotonin-induced depress ion can lead the addict to commit acts of thievery in order to purchase more methamphetamines, which become the body’s main neurotransmitter release stimulant. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effect of Methamphetamine-induced Neurotoxicity on Crime Rates or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Short term use of methamphetamines promotes paranoia, sleeplessness, depression and anxiety (â€Å"Short Term Use†). Further use of the substance causes these symptoms to become more severe, resulting in depression and a loss of functional social behavior (â€Å"Long Term Use†). Liz Sonneborn’s book, Frequently Asked Questions about Shoplifting and Theft, notes how many chronic shoplifters suffer from imbalances in serotonin levels, which cause depression and obsessive behaviors (31). Methamphetamines are psychomotor stimulants that flood neurotransmitter-receptors, tricking the mind into releasing a magnified high that, under normal circumstances, would only be experienced at a slight degree (â€Å"Methamphetamine in the Brain†). However, repeated administration of methamphetamines to lab rats shows that after long term use, methamphetamines significantly reduce the amount of serotonin and dopamine content and uptake in the body by acting as a neurotoxins (Cass 8132). Once methamphetamines become neurotoxins, the resulting depletion of serotonin and dopamine in the body cause severe depression when not high, as dopamine is responsible for the experiencing of pleasure and pain (Erickson). Methamphetamines also act as receptor desensitizers, actually reducing the number of neurotransmitter receptors and causing the addict to build a tolerance to the drug. Therefore, depression is stimulated because the individual experiences limited enjoyment when not on methamphetamines, and a progressive decrease of enjoyment while high. Depression further spurs theft (Khimm). An article by The Washington Post states the National Bureau of Economic Research discovered that non-violent theft is the only crime that can statistically be attributed to depression among adolescents and young adults. Depression of this level could be attributed to methamphetamine usage, and a study in 2004 showed that out of the 53% of state prisoners who regularly used drugs, 14.9% used methamphetamines, 36% claimed they continued usage despite emotional problems, such as depression, and 34% claimed to have an increase in tolerance to the illicit substance (Mumola 2). In the case of methamphetamines, this signifies that over a third of users continue using methamphetamines despite having severe depression. Furthermore, the 34% who showed an increase in tolerance would also be using higher dosages of meth, further shutting down their neurotransmitter receptors. Depression aside, dramatic decreases in serotonin levels have an inve rse relationship with impulsive behavior (Raine 96). Impulsivity has a significant effect on property crime (Zimmerman 69-70). In Gregory Zimmerman’s book, statistics show that an individual who exhibits normal impulsivity has a probability of 11% of engaging in property crime, such as burglary. However, when impulsivity rises by one standard deviation, the probability of engaging in a property crime increases from approximately 11% to 23%. One of the defining roles of serotonin is to mediate behavioral inhibition (Dalley 41). The decline in serotonin concentration and uptake causes individuals to less effectively correlate rewarded and punished responses. This means that whereas one individual may associate shoplifting with being fined or sued, an individual with decreased serotonin levels, due to methamphetamines, will identify the rewards of shoplifting and the punishments of being caught as two unrelated events. Along with causing the deterioration of users, methamphetamines also have an undeniable negative effect on the lives of others (Mumola 1). Methamphetamine causes the depletion of chemicals that naturally make people feel happy and replace it with feelings of depression and impulsive disorders (â€Å"Short Term Disorders†). The general lack of happiness caused by the use of meth results in higher crime rates, and although the crimes are generally nonviolent, they still detract from the safety of people’s homes and their rights to their property (Mumola 1). Works Cited Cass, Wayne A. GDNF Selectively Protects Dopamine Neurons over Serotonin Neurons Against the Neurotoxic Effects of Methamphetamine. Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience 16.24 (1996): 8132-139. Journal of Neuroscience. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Dalley, J. W., and J. P. Roiser. Dopamine, Serotonin and Impulsivity. Neuroscience 215 (2012): 42-58. Science Direct. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Erickson, Carlton. Dopamine- A Sample Neurotransmitter. Understanding Addiction. University of Texas at Austin, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2013. Khimm, Suzy. Study: Teen Depression Linked to Higher Property Crime, but Not Violent Crime. Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Kish, Stephen J. Pharmacologic Mechanisms of Crystal Meth. Canadian Medical Association Journal 178.13 (2008): 1679-682. Cmaj.ca. Canadian Medical Association, 17 June 2008. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Long Term Effects. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Methamphetamine in the Brain. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Raine, Adrian. Crime and Schizophrenia: Causes and Cures. New York: Nova Science, 2006. Google Books. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Short Term Effects. In The Know Zone. Education Specialty, 2011. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Sonneborn, Liz. Frequently Asked Questions about Shoplifting and Theft. New York: Rosen, 2012. Google Books. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. Mumola, Christopher J., Jennifer C. Karberg. United States. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. Drug Use and Dependence, State and Federal Prisoners, 2004. Ojp.usdoj.gov. Oct. 2006. Web. 03 Oct. 2013. Zimmerman, Gregory M., and National Institute Of Justice. Impulsivity, Offending, and the Neighborhood: Investigating the Person-Context Nexus. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest, 2009. Books.google.com. Google Books. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

When Do SAT Subject Test Scores Come Out

When Do SAT Subject Test Scores Come Out SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips After you take the SAT Subject Tests, you probably want to find out your results right away. You'll have to be a little patient, though, as you might need to wait between two and six weeks to get your SAT Subject Test scores. We've compiled the exact score delivery dates below. We also offer tips on how to track down your scores and what to do after you get them. Read on to find out just when you'll get your SAT Subject Test scores. SAT Subject Test Score Release Dates 2019-2020 After some delays in score delivery in recent years, the College Board now promises online score delivery within three weeks for most SAT and SAT Subject Test dates. Additionally, any colleges you designate as score recipients should get your SAT scores within 10 days after you get your own score report. As you can see, delivery dates (to both students and their selected schools) can range from two weeks to more than five weeks (for June score deliveries). In the chart below, you'll find windows for score release dates for the rest of the 2018-2019 Subject Test dates: Test Date Online and Paper Score Delivery Date Scores Sent to Colleges By May 4, 2019 May 17, 2019 May 27, 2019 June 1, 2019 July 10, 2019 July 20, 2019 Source: The College Board And here are our estimated dates for the 2019-2020 Subject Test dates: Test Date Online and Paper Score Delivery Date Scores Sent to Colleges By Aug 24, 2019 Sept 6, 2019 Sept 16, 2019 Oct 5, 2019 Oct 18, 2019 Oct 28, 2019 Nov 2, 2019 Nov 15, 2019 Nov 25, 2019 Dec 7, 2019 Dec 20, 2019 Dec 30, 2019 May 2, 2020 May 15, 2020 May 25, 2020 June 6, 2020 July 15, 2020 July 25, 2020 Source: The College Board The College Board delivers paper score reports at the same time SAT Subject Test scores become available online; however, they're not explicit about when exactly colleges will get SAT Subject Test scores, only promising that colleges should get them within 10 days after students get their own score reports. At least you know exactly when you can get your scores online, though. Read on for a step-by-step explanation of how to access your SAT Subject Test scores on the dates above. Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: Raise Your SAT Score by 160 Points(Free Download) How to Get Your SAT Subject Test Scores Internet score delivery for SAT Subject Tests should take place around 8 am Eastern Time (5 am Pacific Time). According to students, the scores sometimes appear a few hours earlier. To get your scores, log on to your College Board account and go to "My Test Scores." Once there, you'll see your scores from any and all SAT Subject Tests you've taken. You'll need your username and password to be able to log in and view your scores. If you don't remember one or both of these, go through the steps to recover this info with the email associated with your account. If you need to recover your username and/or password, try to do so before score release day. It wouldn't be any fun to go through this rigmarole as your scores wait in your account, just out of reach! According to the dates above, your paper score report should be delivered to you around the same time they come out online. You can also get your Subject Test scores over the phone by calling 866-756-7346 (domestic) or 212-713-7789 (international). This service costs $15 per call, so you'll need to have a credit card on hand. Now that you know when to expect your SAT Subject Test scores and how to access them, is there anything else to keep in mind about the Subject Tests? How to Schedule Your SAT Subject Tests Since you now know when you'll get your SAT Subject Test scores, you should design your testing schedule with these dates in mind, especially when it comes to college application deadlines. At present, the College Board does not commit to having scores to colleges by specific dates, only stating when they'll start to deliver them. Therefore, I suggest giving yourself at least a week of leeway between your score release date and your application deadline. It's possible that colleges will be more lenient because of past score release delays, but I wouldn't risk it or risk getting stressed out about it. You want to leave enough time for colleges to get your scores. You might also leave extra time to retake a Subject Test or two if you end up being disappointed with your scores. Remember that all the SAT Subject Tests are multiple choice and your answer sheets are scored by a machine. Make sure to keep them neat and not make any stray marks or doodles, as the machine won't be able to tell the difference between a real answer and a stray mark. As long as you schedule your SAT Subject Tests with enough time for colleges to receive your score reports, you'll be all set- you just have to wait out the weeks until you get your scores! What to Do After You Get Your SAT Subject Test Scores You've gotten your SAT Subject Test scores. Now what? Do you focus on SAT/ACT prep? Apply to college? Or just totally forget about your scores? Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do after you see your SAT Subject Test scores. Step 1: Determine How Good Your Scores Are First, it's important to check that your Subject Test scores are up to par (or even better than) the average Subject Test scores at the schools you're applying to. This lets you see whether you're on track to being a competitive applicant or whether you need to work a little harder on presenting yourself as an ideal candidate to schools. To find the average SAT Subject Test score for a college, search for "[School Name] SAT Subject Test scores" or "[School Name] average SAT Subject Test scores" on Google. Look for links to the school's official website and click the one that's most relevant. A good score will be one that's equal to or higher than the school's average. Unfortunately, not all schools list average SAT Subject Scores. If you're having trouble finding your school's average or recommended SAT Subject Test scores, try comparing your scores with official Subject Test averages and percentiles. This will tell you how many test takers you scored higher than on a Subject Test. Step 2: Decide Whether to Submit Your Scores to Schools Now that you have an idea of how well you did on your Subject Tests, it's time to decide whether you want to submit your scores to schools. (Note that if you elected to use the College Board's four free score reports when you registered for the tests, your scores will be automatically sent to the schools you chose before you can know what your scores actually are.) If a school requires Subject Test scores and you're only going to take the tests once, go ahead and submit your scores, even if they weren't as high as you hoped they'd be. You don't really have much of a choice here since not submitting them means your application will be disqualified! On the other hand, if Subject Test scores are completely optional, only submit your scores if they're higher than the averages at the school. If you got a low score, it's better to not submit it since all it'll do is bring down the quality of your application. (By contrast, if you submit no scores, this won't have any effect on your application.) If your school strongly recommends SAT Subject Test scores, it's best to send them in. That said, if you scored poorly on a test, you can choose to not send in that score and instead opt to retake the test at a later point (if you can do so before your college applications are due, that is). Check out our guide for a list of all SAT Subject Test dates. Step 3: Start Working On Your College Applications If you decided to submit your Subject Test scores to your schools, congrats! Now, it's time to start buckling down on your college applications. You'll want to present yourself in the best possible light, so make sure to write a great personal statement, submit strong letters of recommendation, and get involved in extracurricular activities you're interested in. If you decided to retake a Subject Test, you'll want to balance your time wisely by studying for the test and getting a jumpstart on your college applications. I suggest making a study schedule so you can pace yourself and space out the things you'll need to prepare for your college applications. What's Next? Have you chosen the dates you'll take your SAT Subject Tests on? Check out our article for the best dates to take the tests, and get tips on how to balance them with the general SAT or ACT. Are you also taking the SAT? Make sure you know all the steps to getting and sending your SAT scores, and figure out how high of an SAT score you should aim for. If you're taking the ACT, learn how to get and send your ACT scores and what ACT score you should aim for. Want to get a perfect SAT or ACT score? Read our guides to learn how you can score a perfect 1600 on the SAT or a full 36 on the ACT. Need a little extra help prepping for your Subject Tests? We have the industry's leading SAT Subject Test prep programs (for all non-language Subject Tests). Built by Harvard grads and SAT Subject Test full or 99th %ile scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Learn more about our Subject Test products below: