Young offenders and coexistence with drugs in the family environment

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate drug use within the family of young institutionalized and discuss the role of family as an inducer of drug use by young people. It was a descriptive and transversal study, conducted in the municipalities of Rolândia Cambé — Paraná, the New Life Recovery Center, with 11 institutionalized youngsters and their parents in March 2007. As data source institutional records were used. And as instrument of interview two forms were applied: one to the young and another to the family guardian. The analysis was made following the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin. Eleven families were studied, confirming the involvement of other members with drugs including the father, uncles and cousins. The attitude of families towards drug use by youth was either repressive or of advice or indifference. Several adverse events were noticed in the family environment. The empirical findings seem to indicate a family culture favorable to drug use.