Investigative Report

The Prevalent Societal Problems of Teenage Drug Abuse and Violent Crimes are Exacerbated by Incarcerating Juveniles as Adults

At the end of 1995, about 2% of inmates on death row in the United States were juveniles who committed violent crimes ("Juvenile Justice"). Many of these crimes were directly linked to the abuse, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs. There is an overall link between teenage drug abuse and the commission of violent crimes. Many teens who commit these violent crimes are subsequently incarcerated as adults. Incarcerating teenagers as adults does not help with their drug abuse recovery nor does it prevent the reoccurring cycle of additional abuse and crime once they are released from prison. As a result, in the past two decades America has seen a dramatic increase in teenage violent crimes ("Juvenile Justice"). Teenage drug abuse leads to teenage violent crimes and the problem is exacerbated by incarcerating juveniles as adults.

Drug abuse is a significant and prevalent issue in our society that effects teens. Juveniles abuse both illegal and prescription drugs for the sole purpose of getting high. “The abuse of drugs, legal and illegal, influence or alter the workings of the mind; they affect moods, emotions, feelings, and thinking processes” (Goode). Unfortunately, some teens enjoy experimenting with drugs and many times it is easier and cheaper to get illegal drugs than buy alcohol or cigarettes (McLaughlin 3). Illegal drug abuse is both common and costly to our country. Approximately 78 million Americans age 12 and over have gotten high on illegal drugs (Goode). Every year our society spends $40 - $100 billion on illegal-drugs and 60% of illegal drugs sold in the world are in the United States (Goode). The issue of drug abuse affects people of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds (McLaughlin 3). It can affect families for generations because children of drug abusing parents are more likely to become drug abusers themselves. Children of substance abusing parents are also at greater risk of developing life-long psychological and behavioral problems. “Evidence-based prevention programs must be developed not only for the substance-abusing parents but also for their children in order to reduce the risk of future maladjustment” (Oren, Neta, Rahav, Teichman 22). Drug abuse is a significant societal problem which affects many teenagers.

There is general agreement that teenage drug abuse and teenage violent crimes are linked. Drugs can lead to violent crime because people under the influence of drugs commit crimes that they otherwise would not commit. Teens that are drunk or on drugs often have less control over themselves. Teen drug users often commit crimes in order to get money to pay for drugs. This is a major problem in teens that become drug addicted. Violent crimes are committed by people involved in the selling of drugs as well. Since they have an abundance of cash, they are targets for robbery. Drug dealers also use violence to protect their territory from other competitive drug dealers. One of the major reasons for the rise in violent crimes over the past two decades is the rise in crack cocaine, also known as “crack.” Crack dealers often hire children to distribute drugs and give them guns for protection. From 1990 to 1995, there was a 700% increase in the number of juvenile arrested for heroin and cocaine possession and an 80% rise in juvenile murders ("Juvenile Justice"). There is also violence that can occur when drug abusers are confronted with law enforcement. David Friedman in his article "The Economics of Drug Violence" summarized the reasons for the strong link between drug abuse and violent crimes. “Broadly speaking, the link between drugs and violent crime could occur in three ways: violent crime by consumers of drugs, violent crime associated with the production and distribution of drugs, or violent crime directly associated with the attempt to enforce drug prohibition” (17). The use, selling, and distribution of drugs by teenagers have a direct relationship with their commission of violent crimes.

Incarcerating violent teenagers as adults exacerbates this vicious cycle. There is no evidence that treating young offenders like adults actually works. Some studies show that children retained in the juvenile justice system are less likely to commit another crime after leaving prison compared to those in an adult justice system ("Juvenile Justice"). The problem with teens being put into adult prisons is they do not receive the educational, rehabilitative and occupational training they need to find an alternative to crime when they are released. The amount of violent crimes committed by children 17 years and younger is rapidly increasing. From 1987 to 1995, arrests for violent crimes by juveniles increased 65% while during the same period; rates of arrest for similar crimes committed by adults remained steady ("Juvenile Justice"). Violent youth are typically abused, neglected, fatherless, and impoverished. Society needs to develop a sense of moral obligation towards these children, not simply incarcerate them as adults.

Drug abuse is a significant problem for teenagers and can cause them to commit violent crimes. Currently our legal system incarcerates violent juveniles as adults which is not helping the problem. Society needs to get better at handle on treating teenage drug abuse and violent juveniles so the current reoccurring cycle is stopped. Some alternatives include providing more drug education programs in schools and on TV, and initiating more early intervention programs, especially with high risk families. Instead of incarcerating teens as adults, boarding schools, "last chance” facilities, boot camps, restorative justice programs which include community service work hours, and victim-offender mediation should be tried ("Juvenile Justice"). Teenage drug abuse leads to teenage violent crime and the problem is exacerbated by incarcerating juveniles as adults. It is society’s moral obligation to try to fix this problem.

WORKS CITED

Friedman, David. "The Economics of Drug Violence". Liberty (June 2001) 17- 24: SIRS Researcher John Carroll School. 20 Sept. 2008 http://www.sirs.com

Goode, Erich. "Drug Abuse." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2008. Grolier Online. John Carroll School. 18 Sep. 2008 http://gme.grolier.com

"Juvenile Justice." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services. John Carroll School. 20 Sept. 2008 http://www.2facts.com.

McLaughlin, Sharon. "Troubling trends: teens and addiction. (Canada)." The Advocate 65.6 (Nov 2007): 811(3). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. John Carroll School. 20 Sept. 2008 http://find.galegroup.com.

Peleg-Oren, Neta, Giora Rahav, and Meir Teichman. "School-age children of fathers with substance use disorder: are they a high risk population?" Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education 52.2 (August 2008): 9(22). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. John Carroll School. 20 Sept. 2008 .