Juvenile Justice In America SOC 106 Part 10: Drug Use and Delinquency

1.Frequently abused drugs a. Marijuana / hashish = THC - most commonly used illicit drug - not physically addicting - physical dangers - psychologically addicting b. Cocaine - most powerful natural stimulant - sniffed / snorted / injected = “rush” - physical dangers

(1) Crack - processed street cocaine - ammonia / baking soda - crystalline form = smoked c. Heroin - narcotic drug - most dangerous - build tolerance - sniffed / snorted / skin pop / mainlining - user becomes addicted

d. Alcohol - drug of choice - 56% have been drunk by 12 th grade - factor in nearly half of all murders / suicides / accidental deaths - “part of growing up” e. Other drugs - inhalants / tranquilizers / stimulants / steroids / hallucinogens / designer drugs / cigarettes 2.Drug use today

- various studies a. Monitoring the Future - survey of teen substance abuse - continues to decline / become stable b. Parents’ Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) - little or no change c. National Survey on Drug Use and Health - declined = still a problem

3.Why take drugs? a. Social disorganization - poverty - racial prejudice - low-self esteem (1) One study - little if any association between social class and drug use (2) Drug use higher = urban class

b. Peer pressure - wanting to be accepted / fit in - poor parental supervision c. Family factors - unhappy childhood - child abuse - parental drug use - divorce / separation d. Genetic factors - alcohol parents = alcoholic children

e. Emotional problems - internalize / introverted - blaming others - personality disorders f. Problem behavior syndrome - maladjusted / emotionally distressed - many social problems g. Rational choice - choose drugs to get high

4.Pathways to drug abuse a. Gateway drug - alcohol / marijuana b. Petty users - sell small amounts / support their use - do not consider seriously involved with drugs c. Frequently sell - make money - get their drugs

c. Dealers who commit other crimes - 2% teenage population = 40% of crimes - most = gang bangers d. Losers / burnouts - heavy drug use - commit crimes to support habit e. Persistent offenders - 2/3s continue into adulthood - poor family / poor in school / use at early age - few opportunities

5. Drug use - a large part of delinquency - early users = chronic offenders a. Law enforcement efforts - drug programs - strict enforcement b. Education - elementary through high school - parents involvement c. Community involvement

- evening programs - job programs - feeling a part of d. Treatment strategies - 150,000 per year = treatment - marijuana - look at problems = youth / family / peers e.Harm Reduction - minimize harmful effects - needle exchange / medical marijuana