Preventing Repeated Delinquent Behavior and Drug abuse in Children and Youth.

Abstract

Currently, the buying and selling of narcotics through online media, based on studied data, take various forms, including: 1) Ordering drugs through Facebook or LINE messages; 2) Date rape drugs; 3) Weight-loss supplements combined with drugs; 4) Influence from celebrities or public figures on children and youth. In the case of children and youth who have engaged in delinquent behavior, undergone corrective processes, and returned to delinquent activities, there may be experiences of vulnerability, insufficient knowledge, and a lack of a sense of responsibility. Causes of repeated delinquent behavior in drug-related crimes among children and youth include: (1) Emotional and cognitive factors; (2) Personality and behavioral factors; (3) Peer or close relationship factors; (4) Family factors; (5) Environmental factors in the living environment; (6) Economic factors; (7) Deficiencies in the fairness of the law enforcement process. Strategies to address the problem include: 1) Developing rehabilitation programs in collaboration with public health or child and adolescent mental health teams, involving health networks, community networks, educational institutions, and all relevant sectors; 2) Promoting life skills and problem-solving skills for children and youth who have engaged in drug-related offenses, with family involvement to support those who are committed to quitting drug use or drug trafficking; 3) State or private agencies involved should academically review and reassess measures to prevent repeated delinquent behavior related to drug crimes among children and youth in correctional facilities and those under protection in Thailand; 4) The government should review and establish comprehensive policies to integrate the work of health network stakeholders, under the Ministry of Justice; 5) Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to develop a network for monitoring children and youth; 6) Families should spend time caring for and paying attention to children and youth when they return to society; 7) Communities and society should elevate social standards and way of life; 8) Improve the justice process.