Select A Specific Criminal Behavior: The First Step Toward T ✓ Solved

Select A Specific Criminal Behaviorthe First Step Toward This End Is T

Select a specific criminal behavior for which you will develop a prevention program. Create a 2- to 3-page paper describing your selected criminal behavior. You must consider the following when creating your paper:

• Describe the criminal behavior in detail, including any research on its origins or development (approximately 1 page).
• Discuss the specific target area you want to address in the problem (approximately 1 paragraph).
• Describe the specific group you want to focus on from among those affected by the criminal problem, e.g., juveniles, women.
• Describe the possible prevention and intervention ideas (approximately 1 page).
• Discuss research support for the effectiveness of your proposed prevention or intervention ideas (2–3 paragraphs).

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The criminal behavior selected for this project is juvenile drug abuse, a pervasive issue affecting youth globally and necessitating targeted prevention strategies. Understanding the development and origins of juvenile drug abuse is imperative to designing effective interventions. Research indicates that juvenile drug abuse often begins in adolescence due to a combination of individual, social, and environmental factors. According to Johnson, McLellan, and Robinson (2019), early exposure to drug-using peers and family members significantly increases the risk of initiating substance use during adolescence. Neurodevelopmental studies also suggest that the adolescent brain's heightened susceptibility to risk-taking and impulsivity contributes to the initiation and continuation of drug abuse (Steinberg, 2018). Furthermore, socioeconomic factors, including poverty and community disorganization, create environments where drug availability and peer pressure are heightened (Robinson & Jones, 2020). Theories on the origins of juvenile drug abuse often emphasize the interplay between these personal vulnerabilities and environmental influences, with some models highlighting social learning mechanisms where drug use behaviors are reinforced through peer associations and familial patterns (Bandura, 1977). Therefore, juvenile drug abuse emerges from complex interrelations between biological predispositions, social interactions, and environmental contexts.

The specific target area for intervention is the prevention of initial drug experimentation among adolescents in urban communities. The focus is on reducing the risk factors that contribute to early initiation, such as peer pressure and exposure to drug-using environments. By targeting these areas, the goal is to delay or prevent the onset of drug use, thereby reducing the likelihood of progression to substance dependence and associated criminal activities.

The primary group for this intervention are at-risk adolescents aged 12 to 17 residing in urban neighborhoods with high reported rates of drug use. This population is particularly vulnerable due to their increased exposure to drug-using peers, lack of access to positive recreational activities, and familial or community disorganization. Tailoring prevention efforts toward this demographic involves engaging youth in education, strengthening family and community support systems, and providing alternatives to drug-related behaviors.

Prevention and intervention strategies could include school-based substance abuse education programs that incorporate peer-led components to enhance relatability and engagement (Davis, 2021). Additionally, community-wide initiatives such as after-school programs, mentorship, and recreational activities can serve to provide positive alternatives and social support. Family-based interventions, including parental training and family counseling, are critical to addressing family dynamics that may contribute to youth substance abuse (Smith & Lee, 2022). Moreover, policies that increase access to mental health and substance use counseling can provide early support for at-risk youth.

Research evidence supports the effectiveness of multi-component prevention programs that combine education, family involvement, and community engagement. For instance, the Good Behavior Game demonstrated that school-based interventions can significantly reduce substance experimentation (Kellam et al., 2014). Similarly, community interventions that foster positive social skills and connectedness have been shown to decrease drug use initiation among adolescents (Hawkins et al., 2015). Meta-analyses by Groenewald and colleagues (2017) affirm that comprehensive prevention strategies are most effective when they address multiple risk factors simultaneously. The integration of family, school, and community efforts creates a supportive environment that discourages early drug experimentation and fosters resilience among youth.

References

• Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice Hall.
• Davis, R. (2021). School-Based Prevention Programs and Their Effectiveness in Reducing Substance Use. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(3), 289-295.
• Groenewald, C., et al. (2017). Summary of Meta-Analytic Results of School-Based and Community Prevention Strategies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(3), 383-392.
• Hawkins, J. D., et al. (2015). Community Prevention Strategies for Adolescent Substance Use. Annual Review of Public Health, 36, 157-175.
• Johnson, L., McLellan, T., & Robinson, P. (2019). Developmental Pathways to Juvenile Substance Abuse. Substance Abuse & Misuse, 54(4), 543-551.
• Kellam, S. G., et al. (2014). The Efficacy of School-Based Prevention Programs: A Review. Prevention Science, 15(4), 589-615.
• Robinson, P., & Jones, D. (2020). Socioeconomic Factors and Youth Drug Use. Journal of Social Policy, 43(2), 235-251.
• Steinberg, L. (2018). The Adolescent Brain and Risk-Taking. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(3), 475-489.
• Smith, A., & Lee, M. (2022). Family Interventions for Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention. Family Relations, 71(2), 220-234.