Drug Use and Delinquency

Drug Use Delinquency

Drug use is not the only contributing factor to "Delinquency;" by youths. Juveniles

are challenged with peer pressure, broken families, abuse, unstable home environments,

and family economics.

Research has consistently identified a strong positive association between drug use

and delinquency; "indicates the presence of one increases the likelihood of engaging in the

other"(e.g., Dembo, Sehmeidier, Pacheco, Cooper, & Williams, 1997; Ellickson &

McGuire, 2000; Snyder & Sickmund, 1999; Tubman, Gil, & Wagner, 2004).

The research shows the relationship between cocaine use and delinquent behavior

pertaining to youths. Overtime drug use is contributing to delinquent behavior and when

the increase in drug use continues, so does delinquent behaviors; it is a parallel process.

The research has also contributed the use of drugs amongst juveniles with the involvement

of illegal sales of the substance. The psychosocial functioning of the families was also

related to the association of the delinquents in determining the kind of home environment

they grew up in.

It is noted that delinquent's activity by youths have many contributing factors, i.e.

economics, education, drugs, and the primary association is with gang activity. The

research shows that gang activity is not just the inner city of a metropolitan area, but

included more so now then before in the rural areas of the states. The research shows what

once were the male groups of gangs has now turned into some female groups; acting

delinquents.

The research also shows adolescents are staying in gangs longer, not just your

typical 14 to 19 years of age, but someone in there 20s and up to 30. There has been an

increase in delinquent behaviors associated with drugs, physical confrontations, display of

graffiti, wearing