Adolescência, violência e uso de drogas: um estudo de casos múltiplos

Adolescence, violence and drug use: a multiple case study

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines the links among adolescence, violence and drug use in juvenile delinquents. Methods: A
multiple case study was conducted, with data collected through guided individual interviews with five male adolescents
incarcerated for social and educational rehabilitation. Results: The association between drug abuse and delinquency was
identified in all the cases investigated. The literature on the subject shows how juvenile delinquency and drug use are as
sociated with fragile psychic structures that tend to pave the way for offenses, also fostered by the characteristics of con
temporary society, especially during adolescence. Conclusion: The association between drug use and juvenile delinquency
should be considered as significant, when adolescents enter into conflict with the law, underscoring the need to take this
aspect into consideration when planning policies for prevention and treatment of such cases.