Juvenile offences among hospitalized adolescent inhalant users in Istanbul: a comparison regarding place of residence.
In this research, juvenile offenses and associated behaviors among adolescent inhalant users in Istanbul were investigated and inhalant users living in the street were compared to inhalant users living with their families. An interview questionnaire developed by the researchers was administered to 200 male adolescent inhalant users who were hospitalized during 2002-2003. More than half of the sample had committed juvenile offenses at least once in their lifetime, 16.3% had entered a house of corrections, 91.5% had friends who committed juvenile offenses, and the majority had been taken to a police station at least once in their lifetime. The rates for juvenile offenses, being taken to the police station, committing crimes to obtain money to buy drugs, and obtaining income through illegal activities were higher among adolescents living in the street than adolescents living with their families. Although the juvenile offense rate was higher among adolescents living in the street, it can be suggested that both groups live in subcultures that have a tendency towards crime, and inhalant use is part of these subcultures. Juvenile offense interventions can be useful for all inhalant users.
Ogel
Kültegin
K
Bakirköy Mental Health Hospital, Child and Adolescent Addiction Education and Treatment Center, Bakirköy, Istanbul, Turkey. ogelk@superonline.com
Taner
Sevil
S
Tosun
Musa
M
Liman
Olcay
O
Demir
Turkay
T
D000293:Adolescent; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012997:Solvents; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey
D012997:Solvents