Drug Use and Delinquency

Drug Use and Delinquency

Lynn Granger

CJS/240

June 21, 2012

Tamekia Simmons

There are many different reasons that lead to youth drug usage. The most common reason is peer pressure. Other reasons can stem from harmful and dangerous home environments that may include drug usage, physical, mental or sexual abuse, low self esteem issues and even mental or emotional problems or disabilities as well. The adolescent life-stage is a period of high risk for engaging in many different kinds of problem behaviors, such as substance use, cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol and delinquency

Being involved in these acts can place youths at an increased risk to commit future criminal involvement or social maladjustment some studies have documented that early involvement in antisocial behavior is strongly related to criminality in adulthood. Youth substance use or abuse can cause many negative consequences, including deviant acts, early sexual initiation, suicide and delinquency. For these reasons, identifying and understanding the dynamics underlying youth’s drug use are important. (Elliot 1994; Moffitt1993; Naigin and Paternoster 1991)

Drug use and delinquency most often go hand and hand. This can cause youths to act out at home, school or other places that they may frequent. It is more likely for a youth that is on drugs to begin practicing criminal behaviors; most times it is to support their habits. Delinquent youths may be attracted to the dangers of drug and alcohol use because the possible negative consequences satisfy their taste for risks.

These youths are aware of the dangers involved ineloquent activity, and are unlikely to be deterred by the negative consequences because they are not thinking clearly or want to fit in certain atmospheres. (Eliot, Huizinga and Ageton 1985). These youths believe that this is a way of having fun and gaining respect from their negative peers and most they probably would not have practiced these behaviors before drug usage....