Adolescent Substance Abuse and Youth Violence (Current Research and Recent Practice Innovations, P 173-198, 1999, Jeffrey M. Jenson and Matthew O. Howard, eds. -- See NCJ-182754)

• NCJ Number: 182761
• Author(s): James R. Moran; Jeffrey M. Jenson
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: NASW Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of the relationship between drug use and violence focuses on drug abuse factors related to violence among adolescents, common risk factors for drug abuse and violence, and appropriate interventions.

Abstract

Substance abuse and violence among youth are serious public health problems. Drug use leads to involvement in serious delinquency and violence among some youths. Common risk factors for substance abuse and violence among adolescents include individual, family, school, peer, and community factors. However, no single solution can reduce co-occurring substance abuse and violent conduct among adolescents. Adolescents who abuse drugs and engage in violence are often well entrenched in a deviant lifestyle in which such behavior is normative. Motivation to change is often lacking, making the assessment and treatment process difficult. The best available data suggest that highly structured, intensive efforts that include family members in treatment are most effective. 95 references