Crime and Substance Abuse Among Teens
What are the motives for crime and drug use among teenagers?
There is a substantial amount of research on the
etiologies of juvenile delinquency and substance abuse. One good thing
is the mix of prevention programs and the research literature involving
behavior interventions of multilevel socioenvironmental conditions.
These programs clear the awareness of the association between drug use
and the motives toward crime. In sum, the research literature suggests
that no single intervention approach is likely to reduce the negative
consequences for health, safety, and the justice system.
Rather we see
a mix of carrots and sticks. Most teenagers need to alter their
individual perceptions of the desirability of crime and drug use by
altering norms and expectations. When this can be accomplished, we see
an increase in the deterrent effect of the law.
The following might help to put into perspective the
magnitude of drug abuse among teenagers. By the end of eighth grade,
one-third of American students have tried illicit drugs (Rojek 67).
This also includes inhalants such as rubber cement, paint thinner, and
other toxic chemicals. Almost two fifths of tenth graders have smoked
marijuana, forty seven percent or almost one half of twelfth graders
have used alcohol. By their late twenties, over seventy five percent of
America’s young adults have tried at least one illicit drug (Rojek 69).
Finally, we see the seemingly unending capacity of pharmacological
experts and amateurs who discover new substances that have abuse
potential. This includes Robitussin DM, ephedrine, various cold
medications, and the rediscovery of older drugs such as LSD (White
182). While as a society we have made significant progress on a number
of issues, we still see the fight against drug abuse as being a
continual matter of the greatest public health concern in
America.
Juvenile violence is a substantial problem in the
United States. Through 1999, juveniles have been involved in at least
25% of serious violent crimes. Suicide was the sixth leading cause of
death in children five to fourteen and the third leading cause in ages
fifteen to twenty-four. Children of all ages are exposed to domestic
and community violence (Morantz. Torrey. 2004). By providing
information and evaluating preventive services, we can try to be
effective in early detection of childhood development and by
implementation of violence intervention programs the children tend to
be less violent (White 183).
The families of violent youth need to have more
information and be better educated on the needs of their awareness to
strategies that help prevent juvenile violence. By implementing new
programs in rougher neighborhoods and using community oriented
policing, to identify the crucial components of these neighborhoods we
can then collaborate between police and mental heath professionals to
attempt to see a change in our violent youth. When we recognize the
effects of these new developments of controlling violence and with the
appropriate intervention programs, such as identifying children
involved in violent activities earlier, we will become more effective
in solving life skill problems for children, parents, and the schools
(American Family Physician).
When looking at referrals from schools and the
collaboration of the police, we can raise awareness in the home. This
will increase the possibility of helping children stay on track in
school and at play. By developing a family prevention plan and reducing
the risk of violence in the home, we can substantially reduce the
problem of violence. By supporting positive social and emotional
developments and preventing the risk of later violence we can overcome
the violence epidemic in the United States.
References
Rojek, Dean G., Jensen Gary F. 1996. “Exploring Delinquency Causes and
Control.” University of Georgia. University Vanderbilt. Roxbury
Publishing Company. Pg. 67, 68.
White, Susan O. “Handbook of Youth and Justice.” Kluwer Academic
/Plenum Publishers. New York, Boston Dordrecht ,London, Moscow,
University of New Hampshire. Pg. 183, 186, 191.
American Family Physician. 2/15/2004. Vol. 6 Issue 4 p. 997 ,pl.
http:80search.epnet.com.proxy.li.suu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,
uid&db=aph&an=14073987. Academic Search Premier.
|
