The Nexus of Juvenile Delinquency, Substance Abuse, and Social Impact

This essay defines juvenile delinquency as social deviance, particularly focusing on the role of substance abuse. It examines the sociological implications and consequences of substance abuse among minors, highlighting its addictive nature and potential to lead to further crimes. The essay identifies social withdrawal, isolation, and withdrawal symptoms as key elements of social deviance linked to substance abuse. It addresses concerns such as the spread of addiction, the inadequacy of juvenile justice in addressing substance-related crimes, and the challenges of social reintegration. The author reflects on the socio-economic factors and vulnerable mindsets contributing to substance abuse, advocating for subsidized treatment and government intervention. The essay concludes that substance-related juvenile delinquency requires intensive medical care and social integration therapy.

Running head: JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
Delinquency maybe defined as social deviance. Conformity with social norms or customs
of a societal structure is of paramount importance in terms of social integration. Conformity
refers to an adherence which social norms which are mandated by society and require societal
acceptance. Once socially accepted these norms are ideally incorporated as laws and need to be
adhered to by those subject to it. Social conformity is warranted by social construct and requires
the absolute concurrence of its citizens. Juvenile delinquency is social deviance amounting to
criminal acts as prescribed by law when committed by a minor (Hewitt and Matt). This means
the person committing the crime would be below 18 years of age. The following paragraphs will
seek to establish the societal implications and consequences of juvenile delinquency in light of
substance abuse as a crime (Cicourel). It will also try to establish its relationship with other
crimes and its nexus with further crime and deviance.
4 Elements of Social Deviance through Substance abuse
Substance abuse refers to the possession and unwarranted use of controlled substances.
These are psychotropic, psychoactive, psychedelic or stimulating substances that are legally
prescribed as controlled substances and only medical use of the same (as per a physician’s
advice) is legally permitted (Siegel and Welsh). These substances are abused by various people
who use the same for effects that are not medically prescribed. Substance abuse leads to
addiction and had often been linked with vulnerable psychological capacities (Siegel and Welsh).
Minors are considered to be at a vulnerable psychological state and are more susceptible to be
influenced by ideals that are enforced or institutionalized through peers. Substance abuse is one

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such aspect where institutionalization through peers is an absolute probability. Due to the
addictive effect of certain substances the user becomes habituated and is drawn to continual use
until the situation arises where the person requires the substances to curb withdrawal symptoms.
Many controlled substances are dosage sensitive and the same can be fatal if used improperly
(Wickes et al.). This is the first sociological effect of substance abuse which is death in numerous
cases. This thus affects every person involved in any way with the deceased and has a deep
psychological impact on all those involved with the same (Bao et al). Thus, the elements that
establish social deviance through substance abuse are social withdrawal, isolation, withdrawal
symptoms leading to social deviance and social exclusion.
Sociological impact of Substance abuse
As stated above juvenile offenders are more likely to be pressured into engaging in
socially deviant behaviour through substance abuse by their peers. However this does not
encompass all implications of social deviance through substance abuse. The juvenile offenders
involved in the same are likely to be a victim of the addictive effects of these substances (Young
and Weerman). This addictive effect leads to various kinds of ancillary crimes which are
committed by the juvenile in order to support the habit. This can range from petty theft to murder
and in many cases the offenders have claimed to have temporarily impaired judgement when
committing the same. Withdrawal symptoms can be both psychological and physical. In case of
psychological dependence the offender can be treated by simply depriving them of the substance
for a certain period of time and through regular therapy (Sykes and Matza). Physical dependence
on the other hand can have serious physical ramifications which need to be curbed by using
substitution therapy where a less additive substance is used to slowly change the way in which

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the habit of the offender works (Cloward and Lloyd). Then through adequate therapy the same
maybe curbed. However in cases where the juvenile is facing problems with addiction and is not
receiving any treatment for the same the juvenile may engage in any form of social deviance
which would allow the juvenile to support the habit (Young and Weerman). In such situations
the juvenile can engage in a variety of crimes each of which would have its respective
sociological impact.
Concerns
Substance abuse among juveniles is a form of deviance that not only endangers the lives
and property for those abusing it but also those who are around these individuals. The major
concerns of this are that the addictive properties of these substances is often a cause for peddling
the same this adversely affects the society as the affliction is further spread among other
members of society (Morris). In order to support the habit the juveniles may turn to more
heinous crimes and they would not be receiving appropriate justice for the same as they would be
tried as juveniles and would receive lesser harsh judgements which may never include a
custodial sentence and may be merely rehabilitation and social reintegration based. Social
reintegration is also a challenging procedure for those who engage in substance abuse as they
experience a complete withdrawal from society (Hirschi). This thus makes it all the more
complicated for these individuals to return to a state of social conformity and adherence to
societal norms and customs. Juvenile delinquency of this nature can also lead to fatal accidents
among the user and those associated with them. The drive that withdrawal symptoms create
among these individuals would overshadow societal restraints that define usual conduct
(Cloward and Lloyd). Thus juvenile delinquency in light of substance abuse can pose a serious

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threat to social conformity and societal standards, if allowed to spread on a larger scale it could
instil deviance in much greater degrees. To conclude, these individuals require immediate
psychological assistance and detailed social integration therapy which would be the most
effective mode of treatment.
Reflection
In my opinion substance abuse especially among minors is a form of delinquency which
needs to be eliminated at every possible instance. The practice not only harms the users but
unfairly risks the health and property of all individuals who are associated with these individuals.
It is especially dangerous because of its ability to create further sociological problems. This issue
of further expanding in the social sphere makes substance abuse a specifically persistent
problem. Thus those affected by the same must be treated and it must be ensured that they do not
spread the same before receiving treatment for the affliction. I think that for a majority of those
who engage in substance abuse socio-economic conditions play a more vital role than the
influence of their peers. In many cases the lack of adequate recreation available within a
particular social construct or particular social strata can instigate individuals to resort to more
easily available instantly gratifying forms of recreation. This instils the question if the socio-
economic conditions can be solely responsible for such delinquent behaviour. However, it has
been observed through research that a vulnerable mind-set would be a more explainable cause
for such conduct and such form of deviance. In many ways the right changes to a particular
social condition can avoid an occurrence of such socially unacceptable conduct. I also think that
those who suffer from the affliction and seek aid for the same should be afforded the same
opportunity at subsidised rates. Government intervention in such initiatives would also be a

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welcome step into elimination of such a prevalent and widespread social issue. Juvenile
delinquency of various forms can be treated through due process of law. However in case of a
form of delinquency that cripples the mental and intellectual capacities of a person the same
requires intensive medical care as opposed to all forms of penal punishment prescribed under
law.

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Reference list
Bao, Wan-Ning, et al. "Repeated strains, social control, social learning, and delinquency: Testing
an integrated model of general strain theory in China." Youth & Society 46.3 (2014): 402-424.
Cicourel, Aaron. The social organization of juvenile justice. Routledge, 2017.
Cloward, Richard A., and Lloyd E. Ohlin. Delinquency and opportunity: A study of delinquent
gangs. Routledge, 2013.
Hewitt, John D., and Matt DeLisi. Delinquency in society. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2016.
Hirschi, Travis. Causes of delinquency. Routledge, 2017.
Morris, Terence. The criminal area: A study in social ecology. Routledge, 2013.
Siegel, Larry J., and Brandon C. Welsh. Juvenile delinquency: Theory, practice, and law.
Cengage Learning, 2014.
Sykes, Gresham M., and David Matza. "Juvenile delinquency and subterranean values." Cultural
Criminology. Routledge, 2017. 3-10.
Wickes, Rebecca, et al. "Collective efficacy as a task specific process: Examining the
relationship between social ties, neighborhood cohesion and the capacity to respond to violence,
delinquency and civic problems." American journal of community psychology 52.1-2 (2013):
115-127.

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Young, Jacob TN, and Frank M. Weerman. "Delinquency as a consequence of misperception:
Overestimation of friends' delinquent behavior and mechanisms of social influence." Social
Problems 60.3 (2013): 334-356.