Effects of Mind Altering Drugs on Juvenile Recidivism - Essay Example

This absence of national statistics for recidivism does not necessarily mean, however, that the phenomenon is non-existent and is not a concern. In fact, recidivism among juvenile offenders merits special attention considering the prevalence of drug use among offenders, regardless of whether they are adults or juveniles (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2007; Wei, Makkai & McGregor, 2003). Further, three general trends bared by Spiess and Fallow (2006) on the drugs and crime connection sparked interest in the focus of this concept paper : (1) the prevalence of testing positive for drug use among apprehended offenders; (2) the high incidence of offenders who tested positive on drugs when their crimes were committed; and (3) addiction being a common trigger for offenders to commit crimes to in order to support their addiction.

The third trend bared in the Spiess and Fallow (2006) study points to a well-established link between crime and drug use. In fact, three-quarters of crack and heroin users confessed that they commit criminal acts to sustain their addiction (Home Office, 2008). Goaded by the various accounts leading to a connection between criminality, in general, and recidivism, the intent of the proposed study is to gather research evidence on the effects of mind-altering drug use and abuse on juvenile recidivism.

Juvenile offenders/recidivists. Results of the study will be of greatest benefit to juvenile offenders and recidivists, by way of its contribution to the knowledge base of juvenile problems and the suggestions which will be formulated as output or recommendations of the study to assist youth offenders in realizing the importance of freedom, healthy and drug-free living, education, a personal relationship with God and acceptance back to free society. Correctional Institutions. Management and staff of correctional institutions will find significance in the proposed output of this study, as the suggestions.