NCJ Number
114362
Journal
Social Service Review Volume: 62 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1988) Pages: 258-284
Date Published
1988
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This article explores the evidence linking adolescent drug use and delinquency, examines shared and distinguishing factors in the etiology of each, and discusses implications for prevention and treatment.
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed common risk factors for adolescent drug abuse and delinquency such as early frequency and variety of social behaviors in the primary grades of elementary school. Other risk factors for delinquency and drug abuse include parent and sibling drug use and criminal behavior, poor and inconsistent family-management practices, family conflict, family social and economic deprivation, and school failure. In addition, a low degree of commitment to education and attachment to school, peer factors, individual attitudes and beliefs, neighborhood attachment and community disorganization, and mobility also are found to put adolescents at risk for delinquency and drug abuse. The research also examined physiology and personality as risk factors. Evidence suggests that efforts to prevent adolescent substance abuse and chronic serious delinquency should target the same factors, and that the same interventions may decrease the risk of both of these forms of adolescent antisocial behavior. Further, given the high rates of drug use among delinquents, drug-abuse intervention and treatment programs are clearly needed for delinquent populations. (Author abstract modified)