This report examines the relationship of teen drug use and violence and the risk and protective factors that parents and communities can take to keep their teens safe and drug-free.

Teens who use drugs are more likely to engage in violent behavior, steal, abuse other drugs and join gangs. Also, in the past year:

Youth who used an illicit drug were almost twice as likely to engage in a violent behavior as those who did not use illicit drugs;
One in four teens who abused illicit drugs report attacking others with the intent to harm;
Of the teens who acted violently, methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription pain relievers were the most abused drug;
One in six teens who got into serious fights at school or work reported using drugs; and
The greatest number of violent acts were committed during the after school hours of 3:00-7:00p.m.

Although overall teen drug use has declined over the past five years, teens still use marijuana more than any other illicit drug. Research shows that other than alcohol, marijuana is the most widely used substance in gang life, and children who use marijuana are nearly four times more likely to join gangs.

The report also shows that:

Teens who use drugs, particularly marijuana, are more likely to steal and experiment with other drugs and alcohol than teens who don’t;
Teens that use marijuana regularly are nine times more likely than teens who don’t to experiment with other illicit drugs or alcohol and five times more likely to steal.
Parents remain the most powerful influence on their kids when it comes to illicit drugs. The majority of teens say the main reason they don’t use drugs is fear of upsetting their parents or losing their respect;
Teens who are supervised or involved in structured activities during after school hours are less like to engage in risky behaviors.

The full report can be found at: http://www.mediacampaign.org/pdf/TeensDrugsandViolence.pdf

DEA - Get Smart About Drugs - A Resource for Parents from the DEA

Teens, Drugs and Violence