DRUG USE

Drug Use and Its effects on Juvenile Delinquency

Abstract

This research paper is about how drug use affects juvenile delinquency. It is based on different factors. The data is gathered from different primary and secondary sources. The direct outcome of the study is that the drug use contributes in delinquency. It is also suggested that the juvenile justice system should be made strong to eradicate the problem.

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Trends4

Applications6

Prevention6

Diversion6

Protection6

Delinquency Prevention Act of 19747

Prediction7

Conclusion8

References8

Drug Use and Its Effects on Juvenile Delinquency

Introduction

There is an understanding of juvenile delinquency as meaning adolescents breaking the law or participating in mischievous behavior. One may ask why juvenile delinquency is viewed as a separate construct from adult deviant behavior. The answer to this legitimate question is derived historically from societal attitudes about children. Only after the Victorian Age were children seen as emotionally and intellectually developing human beings. During the Victorian Age, children were simply viewed as little adults. They were not regarded as having a world of their own. Their reality was that of their elders. From this attitude, concerning the welfare of children sprang the juvenile justice system.

The role of the juvenile justice system was to rehabilitate wayward youth. Driving the juvenile justice system was the philosophy that the young could be rehabilitated. It is this view of adolescence that persists to this day, at least to a limited degree. While there is the inevitable ebb and flow of societal reaction to juvenile crime, the underlying attitudes about society's perceptions of childhood emotional and psychological development affect how society assesses juvenile crime (Quinney, 2004).

In the recent era, many young people are being deviated from the normal social behavior due to use of drugs. It is another form of mass destruction weapon that enables a juvenile to ruin the life. It makes them less productive and more violent in the society. There is a link between drug use and juvenile delinquency.

Though, it cannot be claimed that drug use causes delinquency. However, the two behaviors are closely correlated and bring about college and family issues, involvement with negative activities such as; sexual abuse, a lack of neighborhood social control. Use of drugs or alcohol is illegitimate for all youth. However, there is a strong relation among use of drug, alcohol and delinquent behavior of juveniles. Drug use is associated with both violent behavior and criminal activities. The problem of juvenile delinquency increases the fear among community residents and demand for criminal justice. The study conducted by National Institute Justice shows that there is highest association between drug use of male juvenile and arrestees.

Trends

Upon birth, it was customary for children during the Middle Ages to be presented to their fathers, who either accepted them into the family or rejected them. If they were not accepted into the family, then they would be left to churches or orphanages. Reasons for not being accepted could be deformity or disease.

As soon as they were physically capable, children were expected to take on adult occupations. Society did not acknowledge the existence ...