Variables Asociadas al Inicio y Consumo Actual de Sustancias en Adolescentes en Conflicto con la Ley

The age of onset and the current use of substances are important risk factors to consider in treatment programs with juvenile offenders. A non-experimental study was conducted to determine the relationship between the age of onset and the current use of substances with their associated factors in 53 juvenile offenders. Adolescents prosecuted for sexual offenses, as well as violent offenders, showed a higher starting age compared to other offenses. Furthermore, polydrug use was associated with a higher current consumption of commonly used drugs as well as illegal drugs. For its part, the age of onset was related to commonly used drugs, while previous conflicts were related to illegal drugs. The results are discussed and the need for further research on drug use and juvenile delinquency is suggested.