NCJ Number
158936
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 25 Issue: 97 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 171-180
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between drug use and delinquent behavior among 348 high school males (154 whites, 172 Mexican-Americans, and 22 blacks) and 89 adjudicated delinquent males confined in a maximum-security facility for violent and repeat offenders (37 whites, 25 Mexican-Americans, and 27 blacks).
Abstract
Data were collected in 1986 using self-administered questionnaires, and analyses were performed separately for each racial subgroup. Simple correlations revealed that levels of self-reported alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other illegal drug use were all significantly related to both minor and violent delinquency for all three racial groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that use of these substances accounted for 40 to 47 percent of variance in minor delinquency and 59 percent of variance in violent delinquency among blacks, 53 percent of variance in violent delinquency among Mexican-Americans, and 34 percent of variance in violent delinquency among whites. The best predictors of violent delinquency were frequent use of illegal drugs other than marijuana and use of tobacco among Mexican Americans; the frequent use of other illegal drugs, marijuana, and tobacco among whites; and the frequent use of illegal drugs, followed by marijuana, among blacks. 12 references and 3 tables