How does humanity govern itself? The world as we see it today is an extremely diverse nation with varied origins, traditions and customs. These are informal social controls used to help govern citizens without ceremony. These informal controls transformed over time into formal controls, into laws, in an attempt to restore harmony within a society and punish those who break the laws. Laws are defined as a set of rules made by a legislative body to maintain the order and peace of an organized people. Laws can serve as a framework to cover a multitude of subsets, such as political, administrative, financial and civil offenses. Public order offenses can also be classified as a subcategory of criminal law. When defining a criminal offense, there are two sides of the spectrum: the victim and the offender. Drug use and drug-related crimes are the most relevant combination when it comes to violations of federal and state laws. So what happens when there is no apparent “victim”? Is there a “victimless” crime? Law and order and drug crimes may not seem to have an effect in an instant, but over time they harm our nation as a whole. In criminology, Larry Siegel defines crimes against public order as “crimes that involve acts that interfere with the functioning of society and the ability of people to function effectively” (Siegel). So, what is the difference between violating the “law” and committing crimes against “public order”? Public order offenses are often seen as laws that have no apparent victim. These offenses can include prostitution, drunkenness and disorderly conduct, gambling, and drug use and abuse. Drug use and abuse is one of the most damaging public order crimes...... middle of paper ......, Larry J. (2006). Criminology: theories, models and typologies, 9th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. ISBN0-495-00572-X. Print. February 25, 2014. Belliar, Paul E. and Thomas L. McNulty. 2009. “Gang Membership, Drug Dealing, and Violence in the Neighborhood Context.” JQ: Justice Quarterly 26 (4): 644-69. Internet. March 15, 2014. Carson, Ann E. and Daniela Golinelli, Prisoners in 2012: “Trends in Admissions and Releases, 1991-2012” (Washington, DC: US ​​Department of Justice of Justice Statistics, December 2013. Web. February 2, 2014. National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA Drug Abuse Publication Web-Based Statistical Query and Reporting System (WSQARS): www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nation-wide-trends Web. . Richard. 2002. Public Crimes 5th edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002. P. 14 Web.. 2014.