NCJ Number
73904
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1980) Pages: 457-463
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study was designed to provide baseline data on the characteristics, drinking habits, and circumstances of arrest of youthful drinking offenders charged with underage drinking or underage possession of alcohol in Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
To supplement the scarcity of literature on underage drinkers in both the United States and Canada, the authors monitored sessions of the downtown Provincial Court in Toronto, Ontario, at which persons charged with underage consumption or possession of alcohol were due to appear. Monitoring took place over a 6-month period. One hundred minors were interviewed; they constituted 35.1 percent of all those charged. The structured and openended questions concerned such topics as demographic characteristics of offenders; circumstances of charge; court appearance and outcome of charges; family background; offenders' education and work of offenders; perceived support for underage drinking and association with deviants; and drinking, drug use, and drink-related problems. Findings indicated that the average juvenile drinking offender is a 17 year old male, who typically drinks beer and has used marijuana. The majority of the youths come from middle-class families, live at home with their parents, and are attending school. Over 50 percent of these youthful drinking offenders have had previous involvement with the judicial system. The average alcohol consumption for these youths is 2.7 drinks per day. The majority report that their parents are aware that they drink alcohol, but are not aware of the amount consumed. Findings may reflect some underreporting of drinking or of drink-related problems. Further research with well-matched control groups and follow-up studies is needed. A list of 19 references is provided.