The Impact of Drug Abuse on Youth Criminal Behavior: Evidence from Young Prisoners in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This research paper includes keen study of correlation between drug abuse and common criminal instincts among young prisoners in Punjab Pakistan mostly having age lying between 15-30 years. Through assembled and related questionnaires the data has been collected from 204 respondents using various data collecting techniques including quantitative, descriptive and correlational designs. Collected data depicts the high rate of drug use in beginning of adolescence. Various substances like opioids, cannabis and alcohol are included among the commonly abused drugs. Suspects have multiple arrest records and reportedly have involvement in both violent and nonviolent crimes. Pearson correlation analysis signifies strong direct relationship between drug use and criminal behavior of respondents. This deep observation highlights early factors which initiate and influence youth criminality, and shows how lack of education, social and economic vulnerability ignites the criminal behavior in youngster’s .Moreover recommendations include education about preventive measures which should be taken along with early intervention, rehabilitation programs and effective policy reforms aimed mainly for reducing substance abuse and recidivism.