Doctors, Lawyers, And Judges Dissect The Science Of Crime

December 1, 2006 – 6:23 pm | posted in Alcohol / Addiction, Mental Health, Psychology / Psychiatry

On Friday, December 1, mental health experts from the Medical University of South Carolina will join legal professionals from throughout the state to discuss the science behind criminal activity with hopes of collaborating on treatment and intervention.

The most recent FBI statistics have South Carolina leading the nation in violent crime. While research linking these crimes to mental illness and/or drug abuse is shrouded in controversy, legal and medical experts believe recognizing conditions such as depression and addiction and understanding their effects on judgment and reasoning abilities could have significant impact on the reduction of crime rates. Combining perspectives generates the potential for attorneys to intervene with their clients potentially preventing repeat offenses as well as aiding judges in sentencing. For clinicians, the collaboration could lead to enhanced research opportunities and increased patient load for treatment clinics.

The panel, made up of law enforcement officers, mental health experts, and legal professionals including South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, will discuss the dynamics of addiction treatment, strategies for intervention, signs and symptoms of depression, ethics, and the methamphetamine epidemic. The discussion will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the MUSC Institute of Psychiatry Auditorium.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the south. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC is home to over 3,000 students and residents, as well as nearly 10,000 employees, including 1,300 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the University and its affiliates have collective budgets in excess of $1.3 billion per year. MUSC operates a 600 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry.

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