Abstract

HEIM, Joanna  and  ANDRADE, Arthur Guerra de. Effects of alcohol and illegal drugs on at-risk adolescents' behavior: a review of the scientific publications between 1997 and 2007. Rev. psiquiatr. clín. [online]. 2008, vol.35, suppl.1, pp. 61-64. ISSN 0101-6083.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832008000700013.

BACKGROUND: International research indicates that there is a strong association between substance abuse and juvenile delinquency and the risk factors related to law infraction. In Brazil however, few studies have been carried out to investigate such relationships. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the research that focuses on the topics of alcohol, drugs, and delinquency; verifying the relationship between psychoactive drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. METHODS: A review of scientific papers published from 1997 to 2007 selected on the basis of the keywords: adolescence, alcohol, illegal drugs, and delinquency. CONCLUSIONS: Studies indicate that the use of alcohol and illegal drugs among at-risk adolescents is high, and starts early when compared with non-risk adolescents; suggesting that the substance abuse is an important part of the at-risk delinquency problems.

Keywords : Alcohol; illegal drugs; adolescence; at-risk youth; delinquency.