The High Rate Of Illicit Drug Use Among Youth - 2282 Words

Introduction Purpose and Objectives â€Å"Since 1992, the high rate of illicit drug use among youth has been steadily increasing† (Juvenile Justice, 1997). This has become a trend that needs to be put to a stop. There are too many youth that are involved in criminal activity and that are labeled actual juvenile delinquents in the criminal justice system. Researchers can’t help to believe that alcohol and substance abuse has something to do with the emerging problem. â€Å"Drug and alcohol use also increases the likelihood that a youthful offender will have prolonged interaction with the juvenile justice system† (Reclaiming Futures, 2012); this is a fact. Many juveniles who participate in substance abuse usually affect their loved ones and friends.†¦show more content†¦Research Questions and Hypothesis The major independent variable in this study is the use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse and the dependent variable is juvenile delinquency. While the independent variable is alcohol and substance abuse, the dependent variable is the delinquent behavior that may occur possibly because of the alcohol and substance abuse. The purpose of this study is to examine the trend of substance abuse of juveniles and delinquent behavior; also, to see if substance abuse has a major effect on juvenile delinquency.The real question here is if substance abuse and teen crime are directly related. What have different researchers done to prove this? Is there any correlation at all between the two? Is there a specific age, race, ethnicity or gender that contributesto this problem? Is there any real substantial evidence that correlates both together? It is imperative to find out if there is a link between the two because the youth needs to be saved. If there is any evidence that there is a link between the two, then there needs to be a stop put to the use of substance abuse and crime in teenagers. Arrests and interventions can be very well definite consequences of substance abuse. School and family problems