title: Drug use among juveniles in conflict with the law.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the pattern of drug use, reasons for initiation and the perception about the effects of using drugs, among juveniles in conflict with law.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study was conducted at Prayas Observation Home for boys, New Delhi. Eight key informant interviews were conducted to find the prevalence of prior drug use among boys. Five focus group discussions were conducted with 34 children using a topic outline guide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that drug use was related to other criminal activities. Peer group and media were the most important influences for initiation of drug use. All kinds of drugs could easily be procured by children and there was a gradual progression from non-use to tobacco and alcohol use, to marijuana and ultimately to other drugs. Knowledge about medical and social mal-effects of consuming drugs did not seem to effect either the consumption of drugs or the desire to leave this habit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the study demonstrate an urgent need for taking stringent measures in order to curb drug use among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Chetna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Nandini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ratna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ingle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003415:Crime; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs