Trafficking among youth in conflict with the law in SãoPaulo,Brazil
acesse: Trafficking paper McLennan.pdf
Trafficking among youth in conflict with the law in SãoPaulo,Brazil
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol (2008) 43:816–823
John D. McLennan Æ Isabel Bordin Æ Kathryn Bennett Æ Fatima Rigato Æ Merlin Brinkerhoff
Background Engagement in drug trafficking may place a child or youth at risk for exposure to severe violence, drug abuse, and death. However, little is know about the nature of youth involvement in drug trafficking. The purpose of this study is to describe drug trafficking behaviour of delinquent youth and identify adverse experiences as potential predictors of trafficking. Methods Cross-sectional sample of youth (12–17 years of age) incarcerated in detention facilities for delinquent or criminal acts in São Paulo City, Brazil. Structured face-to-face interviews completed with 325 youth (289 boys, 36 girls).Results Approximately half of the boys and girls in his sample have had at least some role in drug trafficking prior to incarceration. Though youth who had engaged in drug trafficking activities did not differ on basic socio-demographic variables, they were more likely to have been exposed to a number of adverse experiences. Beyond heavy substance use, no longer attending school, gang involvement, witnessing violence,and easier access to guns, drugs and alcohol remained significantly
