The criminal view of addiction defines drug use as a ___________.

The criminal view of addiction frames drug use primarily as a criminal behavior. This perspective emphasizes the notion that engaging in drug use or substance abuse is not merely a health issue but rather a violation of laws that warrants punitive measures. Under this view, individuals who use drugs are often seen through the lens of moral failing or criminal intent, which leads to approaches focused on law enforcement, arrest, and incarceration rather than treatment or rehabilitation.

This approach contrasts with other perspectives that may regard addiction as a medical issue, social problem, or cultural phenomenon, each of which would imply different methods of intervention, support, and policy. Understanding addiction as primarily a criminal behavior has significant implications for how society addresses substance abuse, including the allocation of resources, public perception, and the legal framework surrounding drug policy.