Narcotics and Juvenile Delinquency: Exploring The Role of Drugs in The Formation of Youth Criminals in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/t8788y80Keywords:
Juvenile Delinquency, Narcotics, Drug Abuse, NDPS Act, Juvenile Justice Act.Abstract
The alarming rise in Juvenile Delinquency in India has become a significant concern for policymakers, legal authorities,
and social institutions. Among the various contributing factors, narcotic drug abuse has emerged as a critical yet
underexplored dimension influencing the behavioral and criminal trajectories of youth. This study investigates the
correlation between narcotics consumption and the development of delinquent tendencies among juveniles in India.
Employing a multidisciplinary framework that integrates criminology, psychology, and legal analysis, the research
examines socio-economic, familial, and psychological conditions that predispose adolescents to drug use and subsequent
criminal behavior. The study also evaluates the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms, including the Juvenile
Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,
1985, in addressing the nexus between substance abuse and juvenile crime. The findings underscore the necessity of
comprehensive intervention strategies encompassing education, community support, and mental health care
to mitigate narcotic-induced delinquency. This research contributes to the broader discourse on juvenile justice by offering
actionable insights for legal reform, public policy, and youth rehabilitation in India.
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