Drugs and Delinquency Chapter 14

These flashcards cover key concepts related to drugs and delinquency among juveniles, including the attraction to drugs, trends in use, types of drugs, theories explaining drug abuse, and solutions to the drug problem.

What are some reasons why young people are attracted to using illegal drugs?

They are relatively low in cost, easily available, and can produce excitement at events or when excitement is lacking. Drugs can also promote exploring new social spheres and sexual relationships, or provide an escape into one's inner self.

How is drug use different from drug abuse?

Drug use is a continuum from nonuse to experimental, culturally endorsed, recreational, and compulsive use. Drug abuse is when the user becomes dysfunctional, unable to maintain responsibilities, or exhibits dangerous behavior.

What has been most adolescent's primary drug of choice?

Alcohol remains the drug of choice for most adolescents, despite society's focus on harder drugs.

What are the trends in drug use among adolescents since the late 1960s?

Drug use peaked around 1979, leveled off, then significantly declined in 2001, continuing to decline until 2009, after which increased use of some drugs began to occur.

Which illicit drugs are most commonly used?

Marijuana and hashish are the most commonly used illicit drugs, accounting for 79% of current illicit drug use.

What did the OJJDP's Pathways to Desistance study reveal about substance abuse and juvenile offending?

Substance abuse is strongly linked to serious juvenile offending, and substance abuse treatment reduces both illegal substance use and criminal offending.

What is the overall order of licit and illicit drugs used by adolescents, in decreasing order of frequency?

Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, inhalants, sedatives, stimulants (amphetamines and hallucinogens), steroids, prescription drugs, and heroin.

What are some of the dangers of alcohol use among adolescents?

Alcohol relaxes inhibitions, leading to risky behavior, property destruction, fights, academic failure, and conflict with law enforcement.

What recent trend has been seen among teens involving marijuana use?

The resurgence in marijuana use among teens in recent years means that fewer teens report seeing much danger associated with it, even with regular use.

What is vaping?

The act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol, often referred to as vapor, produced by an e-cigarette, vape pen, or similar device. These devices contain flavored e-liquids, nicotine, and/or marijuana.

What are some of the risks related to cocaine use in pregnant women?

Premature separation of the placenta, stillbirths, premature infants, withdrawal symptoms in infants, strokes, respiratory ailments, and greater risk of SIDS.

How is meth typically made and what are some of the effects it has on users?

It is made of common household products and is easy to cook. Its effects last up to eight hours, with an initial rush at the beginning and a less intense high for the duration. Long term effects also include agitation and paranoia.

What are club drugs?

They are certain illicit substances (primarily synthetic) that are usually found at nightclubs, bars, and raves (all-night dance parties). Substances that are often used as club drugs include, but are not limited to, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ketamine, MDMA (Ecstasy), methamphetamine, and Rohypnol.

What is the most important determinant of a person's behavior?

behavioral intent

Does drug use cause delinquency, or does delinquency lead to drug use?

Research suggests that delinquency tends to precede drug use, although some argue that shared antecedents may underlie both.

According to social learning theory, what is the sequential effects of adolescent's involvement in substance abuse?

It begins with the observation and imitation of substance-specific behaviors; it continues with social reinforcement, such as encouragement and support for drug use; and it culminates in a juvenile’s expectation of positive social and physiological consequences from continued drug use.

What are some of the prevention programs that were developed in the 1990s?

Life Skills Training, Midwestern Prevention Project, and Project Toward No Drug Abuse are noteworthy programs that were developed in the 1990s.

What are some possible means for controlling drug use among adolescents?

Prevention programs, treatment interventions, strict enforcement, and harm reduction are all possible means of controlling drug use among adolescents.