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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Reducing Drug Abuse and its Effects on Juvenile Delinquency
By
Marie Noelle Holmes
Research Methods
University of North Texas
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Introduction
Drug use among teens has been an ongoing dilemma that policy officials, researchers and the
law enforcement agencies are facing among juvenile delinquents. Academic performances are
hindered by drug use among school aged children. Thus, school officials are faced with truancy
and numerous absences that could be the result of drug addiction. Problem behaviors such as
depression and low self- esteem could lead to drug addiction in an early age. The age of onset
could determine the progression of substance abuse into adulthood. Peer pressure and the
constant exposure to drugs by parents could also lead to drug addiction. Nevertheless, it can
lead to criminal behaviors among teens who feel compelled to steal to support their drug
habits. Drug abuse among teens can lead to property crime such as shoplifting and robbery as
well. However, drug sales among juveniles can lead to felony charges and possible adjudication
in the justice system. Understanding possible connections between substance abuse and
delinquency among adolescents can halt criminal behaviors that can eventually lead to adult
crimes. Preventing crime is rather complex, however, deterrence could be achieved by an
attempt to suppress drug addiction among the youths early on. My research is an attempt to
determine whether early intervention and therapeutic measures among drug users and nondrug users can halt the growing number of substance abuse and delinquency.
Literature Review
In one of the peer reviewed article, the researchers examined the relationships between
cocaine use and delinquency among teens. They used self-report surveys, hair tests and data
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
from intervention programs to test their hypothesis that cocaine use and delinquency are
mutually related. Although cocaine is found less often than marijuana among those arrested,
the researchers assessed how longitudinal trends in delinquent youths are directly affected by
cocaine use. Although most youths did not admit to being a cocaine user, hair tests technique
allowed them to get an accurate response and conclusion. They found that as the rate of
change in cocaine rises, a corresponding change occurred in engaging in delinquent behaviors.
According to the researchers, involvement with drugs or alcohol increases the chance of
continued contact with the juvenile justice system (Dembo & Sullivan, 2009). Furthermore, they
found that using cocaine is often linked with engaging in drug sale which increases the
possibility of the seriousness and frequency of criminal behaviors. They also found that
delinquent peers and parents with criminal history can be highly influential and can increase
exposure to drugs
In another peer reviewed article, the researchers examined drug use in a state population of
incarcerated juvenile offenders. They began their research by highlighting the preferred drug
among juvenile; marijuana is very common. The primary purpose of the research is to find a
pattern if any of drug use among adolescents in a state population of incarcerated juvenile
offenders and the prevalence of lifetime drug use among juvenile offenders in residential
treatment. They conducted their research by using analyses of survey, interviews and data from
the youth services in the state of Missouri. Geographical data, ethnic group, education, family
demographic and gender were also used to characterize their research. They found that the
mean age for initiating use of cocaine and prescription drugs was (11.6). Furthermore, both
gender initiated drug use around 10 years old ( Dayton, Zelner, Howard & Vaughn, 2009).
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
One of the peer reviewed article analyzed family oriented psycho education curriculum in an
attempt to reduce adolescent substance abuse and delinquency. The researchers mentioned
lack of family support as being one of the main concerns about adolescent substance abuse.
They also mentioned that many drug treatment programs do not involve family as a part of
their agendas. Examining adolescent drug addictions without treating truancy or other status
offenses could reduce the potential for success (Reynolds, Rodman, Sells & Smith 2006). They
used group sessions and individual meetings to address substance abuse of the adolescents.
They also used SASSI scores to determine whether relapses occurred after one year treatment.
The researchers concluded that family therapy using a psycho education was effective in aiding
parents reassert their authority and reduce problem behavior among adolescents, therefore
curtailing severe behavior problems.
In another peer reviewed article, the researchers explore multidimensional family therapy for
young adolescent substance abuse. The primary goal for the research was to establish the
dangers of early onset drug use for young children and other problem behaviors that could be
linked to the latter. They found that initiating with drug use before the age of 15 could have
very severe consequences of chronic offending, mental disorders and failure to achieve
throughout the teenage years and into adulthood. The clinical challenge of the research
remained the suppression of early stage problems (Dakof, Gayle, Rowe & Liddle, 2009). They
conducted their study based on a non- profit community drug abuse treatment and referred
juveniles by the justice system and schools. Telephone screening, consent forms, licensed
therapists were used to assess the participants. They used adolescent domain, group therapy,
multidimensional family therapy, family interactional domain and parent domain to monitor
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
and evaluate the outcomes. The researchers concluded that the study showed evidence that
clinically referred youth and MDTF reduced drug use and delinquency and reduce the risk for
future problem behaviors.
Research questions and hypothesis
Does early intervention and therapeutic measures reduce illicit drug use among juvenile? Are
family oriented drug treatment programs more effective than individual sessions? Does
reducing drug use suppress juvenile delinquency?
Hypothesis: My hypothesis is that family oriented drug program increases the effectiveness of
success. Early intervention can prevent prolong drug addiction therefore suppressing problem
behaviors that can lead to delinquency among juvenile. Detecting and addressing early signs of
emotional problems can delay future problem behaviors in adulthood. Drug treatment is a
strategic measure that can reduce the chance of experimenting with highly addictive drugs such
as cocaine.
Methodology
The main idea of my research is to gather information in order to derive the prevalence of
drug use among juvenile and whether it can contribute to juvenile delinquency. My concept is
juvenile delinquency. As for the variables, I would categorize each group based on gender, age
and ethnic background. My demographic variables include adolescents between the age of (1015) from low income neighborhood, urban and rural areas. I would conduct self-report surveys
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
after obtaining consent forms from legal guardians or parents of both drug users and non- drug
users.
In the survey I would include the following questions
1. Have you used illegal drugs before and how often in one day?
2. Were you exposed to drugs more than twice in one day before using drugs?
3. Do you use cocaine and how often?
4. How old were you when you used drugs for the first time?
5. Have you been to rehabilitation program if so did you find it effective?
6. How many times have you relapsed if any?
7. Are you parents concern about your drug usage?
8. How many times were you arrested while intoxicated?
9. Have you ever committed a crime to support your drug habit?
My main goal would be to find data indicating the number of times the adolescent was
exposed to drugs before first time use. I would then interview licensed health professionals
who treat young addicts in drug treatment programs and analyze the success rate and the
frequency of relapses. I would ask the seriousness of the offenses whether the youth
received counseling and drug treatment prior to their involvement in delinquent behaviors.
I would gather data from family focused drug treatment and compare it to individual
session drug treatment program. I would also analyze the completion and success rate of
each.
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Conclusion
What I would intend to find is the interrelationship between age of onset of problem
behaviors and drug use. I would also attempt to find early predictions of delinquent
behaviors such as truancy and whether it can escalate to more severe offenses. Recognizing
warning signs such as “acting out” as an indicator of emotional problems. I would also
attempt to find if parental involvement in an adolescent (user or non- user) reduces the
chance of drug abuse. Understanding the possible causes of early drug abuse, whether it is
peer pressure, lack of parental involvement or demographic variables such as low income
neighborhood and parental criminal background. Thus, by addressing those issues, one can
address effective ways to reduce juvenile delinquency.
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
WORKS CITED
Dembo, R., & Sullivan, C. (2009). Cocaine use and delinquent behavior among high risk
Youths: A growth model of parallel processes. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance
Abuse, 18, 274-301
Liddle, H., A., Rowe, C., L., & Dakof, G. (2009). Multidimensional family therapy for young
Adolescent substance abuse: twelve month outcomes of a randomized controlled trial.
American Psychological Association, 77 (1), 12-25
Vaughn, M., G., Howard., M., Foster., K., Dayton, M., Zelner., J. (2009). Substance Use in a
State Population of Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders. The Haworth Press, 155-171
Smith, T. E., Sells, S.P., Rodman, J. & Reynolds, L. (2006). Reducing Adolescent Substance
Abuse and Delinquency: Pilot Research of a Family Oriented Psychoeducation Curriculum.
School of Social Work, 15 (4), 105-113
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Running head: DRUG ABUSE AND ITS IMPACT ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY