Violent crime, abuse and non-use of drugs in adolescents at recidivism risk

Abstract

We present an original study on drug use/withdrawal in adolescents, and its association with the risk of violent recidivism. A sample of 192 participants answered the SAVRY questionnaire - Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth-, with the aim of analyzing the association between the risk of recidivism in violent crimes involving drug use and withdrawal. The results showed that non-consumption is associated to risk of recidivism in violent intra-family crimes; the consumption of cocaine was associated to theft with violence and intimidation, while consumption of various drugs to recidivism risk in several crimes, being battery quite common. We conclude that family communication and community prevention programs are extremely important to strengthen positive socialization and develop protective factors to avoid misfits and violent crimes.