NCJ Number
155036
Date Published
1974
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study assessed patterns of drug use by youthful offenders in California including those convicted of assaultive and sexually offensive behaviors. There was also a group of youthful nonassaultive offenders convicted of other serious crimes including drug law violations, burglary, and auto theft.
Abstract
Data were obtained from semistructured private interviews and official records, including police reports and laboratory results. The findings showed that alcohol was the drug most likely to be associated with serious assaultive and sexual offenses. In relation to overall drug use, secobarbital was overrepresented in violent crimes and named by these youthful offenders as the drug most likely to induce or exacerbate aggression. Marijuana was believed by respondents to be most likely to decrease violence. More frequent or multiple drug use was not correlated with assaultive or sexual offenses. Youths in the nonassaultive and sexual offender groups expressed a clear preference for illicit drugs that they expected to decrease aggressiveness. 4 tables, 5 figures, and 11 notes