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Recent studies have revealed common risk factors for adolescent drug abuse and delinquency. This evidence suggests that efforts to prevent adolescent substance abuse and chronic serious delinquency should target the same factors. The same interventions may decrease the risk of both of these forms of adolescent antisocial behavior. Further, given the high rates of drug use among delinquents, drug-abuse intervention and treatment programs are clearly needed for delinquent populations. This article explores the evidence linking adolescent drug use and delinquency, examines shared and distinguishing factors in the etiology of each, and discusses implications for prevention and treatment.
Hawkins et al. (Wed,) studied this question.