Crime-drug relationships in Brazilian adolescents with different conduct patterns: A multi-method study

• In Event: Illicit drug use and offending

Abstract

Substance use and delinquency are behaviours that can manifest themselves in adolescence, mutually increasing their likelihood of persistence and aggravation. The role that one behaviour may play in the other remains to be explored. The present study aimed to describe and compare the relationships between the two behaviours based on data collected from adolescent offenders (n=21), aged 15-18 years, classified according to offending pattern (normative = N; non-normative/persistent = P) and marijuana use pattern (daily use = D; non-daily/sporadic use = S). Data were collected through structured/quantifiable instruments and interviews, enabling a multi-method analysis. Group 1 (PD) reported substance use in the context of drug dealing (activity carried out over a long period of time), before, during and after this activity, to facilitate it, and to relieve tensions related to other contexts (as a self-regulation strategy). Group 2 (ND) also reported substance use before and during criminal activity, but less frequently (time invested in drug dealing was less in this group than in G1). Marijuana use appeared to be more related to peer/leisure socializing and as a self-regulation strategy. Group 3 (PS) reported marijuana use related to peer socialization (claiming the substance was not used before and/or during the offence to 'not damage the action'). The investment in drug dealing would be even lower in view of the investment in other types of crime. Group 4 (NS) also reported substance use before or during criminal activity, due to its accessibility (not to facilitate crime committing), as well as in the context of socialization/leisure and, eventually as a self-regulation strategy. The study highlights different relationships between substance use and offending and the importance of contextual variables, especially involvement in drug dealing, in exacerbating both behaviours simultaneously.

Authors

• Thales Vinícius Mozaner Romano, University of São Paulo

• Marina Rezende Bazon, University of São Paulo