Dear Dr Crime

Dr. Crime is a pseudonym for a social scientist holding a Ph.D. degree in sociology and in criminology. He has worked in all major parts of the criminal justice system. Drop him a note at the website www.keepkidshome.net if you or your child is in trouble, he may be able to help, give him a call (252-339-0000).

Dear Dr. Crime: Is it ok to smoke pot now? What does the science tell us? Happy Fellow

Dear Happy: The National Academy of Sciencesⁱ released a new report on pot effects just days ago. You can read that report if you go to https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24625/the-health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids-the-current-state . The bottom line is that the laws and research are unclear and get in the way of resolution of the issue. This is a wider issue than many of us realize, as the Feb. 2017 issue of Bottom Line Health reported that recreational pot use for adults age 50 or more went up 71% between 2006 and 2013. . I do not advise you to use pot, unless your physician tells you to do so. There remain research studies that indicate possible harm. Leave it alone.

Dear Dr. Crime: I got approached by a con-man and want to report him but don’t know how. What do I do? Suckered.

Dear Victim: Sorry to hear that, but it is more common that most of us know. If you are tricked by a door to door or crooked contractor, report it to your local police or District Attorney. Our NC Attorney General has a consumer protection site and you can file a complaint there. To see the NC Consumer Protection site go to http://www.ncdoj.gov/Consumer.aspx. Other sources dealing with fraud are the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855-411-2372), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov/complaint), or you can call an attorney. Our State Bar will help you. Go to https://www.ncbar.gov/for-the-public/finding-a-lawyer/. And of course you can get insurance protection. Finally, take a look at the AARP publication by Sid Kirchheimer, “ Scam – Proof your Life” . See:

(http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/bookstore/money-work-retirement/info-2016/money-fraud-ripoffs.html).

Dear Dr. Crime: This political campaign made me fear we cannot trust our political leaders. Do just the liars run for political office? Sad Voter.

Dear Voter: Join the club. There was widespread anger at political figures, so you are not alone. Dr. Dan Arielyⁱⁱ at Duke University reported that almost 2/3 of the voters do not believe the presidential candidates were “honest and trustworthy”. His research shows that lying is very widespread among all of us. It is not limited to politicians, for several reasons. We communicate without face to face contact (the internet) more than in the past, and we don’t use cash as much. Dr. Arielty had a great suggestion to help us with our own scruples. He said research showed that, when faced with a conflictual situation, try to recite the Ten Commandments, the ones from God. Even the research shows that works, not just our preachers. Yes, there is wide spread lying in our culture. Let’s do something about it!!!

Dear Dr. Crime. Thanks for your information about how religious services can cut down delinquency. I told my preacher. Is there stuff that would apply to me specifically? Parishioner Lady

Dear Lady: Those research findings showing the benefits of religious services on a wide range of outcomes applied to us all. But, there is research on just women. Harvard University and the American Medical Association studied almost 75,000 women from 1992 till 2012 and compared those women who attended religious services a lot with those who did not. They found that “Frequent attendance at religious services was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality among women”ⁱⁱⁱ. The report indicated this could be used by physicians!

Dear Dr. Crime: Are police officers mean to those people they arrest? What is it like to be a police officer? Mother of a boy.

Dear Mom: The US Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that in their 9 year survey, an average of 44 million adults annually had one or more face-to-face contacts with police. Of that massive number, 1.6% experienced the threat or use of nonfatal force by police.^iv My experience with law enforcement has shown almost every one handled a very difficult job well and ethically. There are 680,000 police officers in the US, making a salary that is reasonable for most of us, but they face death. More people have confidence in police than in public schools or in congress.^v Visit your local police department and ask about a “ride-along” and you will see what it is like.

i The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research

ii Ariely, Dan. 2016. Why everyone is lying. BottomLine Personal, July 15, 2016. Page 13-14.

iii VanderWeele, Tyler. 2016. Association of Religious Service Attendance with Mortality Among Women. Harvard University Department of Epidemiology.

iv Police Use of Nonfatal Force, 2002‒11 NCJ 249216), related documents, and additional information about the Bureau of Justice Statistics can be found at www.bjs.gov

v Time magazine August 24, 2015