Children of Narcotic Addicts: Early Deviance and Risk Factors

Introduction and Study Overview

The article under review — David N. Nurco, Robert J. Blatchley, Thomas E. Hanlon, and Kevin E. O'Grady's "Early Deviance and Related Risk Factors in the Children of Narcotic Addicts" (American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 25(1), pp. 25–45, 1999) — assesses the development of children who have either been directly exposed to narcotic addicts or have grown up in families where narcotics were consumed. The authors' central aim is to identify the different factors that influence drug consumption behavior among children and young adolescents.

The overall findings suggest, first and foremost, a difference between past and present research in the field. While earlier analyses of young adults focused on parental behavior as the primary determinant of children's deviant attitudes, the present analysis of children highlights other contributing causes. Specifically, the lack of parental supervision, parental rejection, and the absence of meaningful parent–child involvement emerge as essential factors shaping children's behavioral development. From the perspective of this study, these are the foundational causes of deviant behavior in children.

Research Methodology

The study was conducted on 285 children — both male and female — aged between 12 and 17. All participants were children of parents enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment programs. The data collection technique was based on a two-and-a-half-hour interview in which respondents were asked to focus on their previous and current activities, including any criminal activities conducted before the age of 12. Interview questions addressed the history of early deviance, family structure, home environment atmosphere, drug and alcohol use, association with deviant peers, and psychological symptoms (p. 29).

The major findings of the study suggest that the teenagers under discussion tend to begin consuming drugs and alcohol at an earlier age than previous generations — and specifically earlier than subjects in prior vulnerability studies. It can therefore be concluded that the influence of deviant peers, family structure, and other family-related factors significantly shapes the development of children of narcotic addicts.

Key Findings: Deviance, Drug Use, and Family Structure

Regarding early deviance, the study found that 64% of subjects had committed at least one crime before the age of 11. Of those who reported having committed a crime at that stage, 45% had engaged in a physical fight. Additionally, 25% had disobeyed a direct order from a parent; 13% had shoplifted; 11% had intentionally damaged property; 5% had carried weapons; and 5% had disobeyed a police officer — all before the age of 11.

Concerning drug use, 21% of the children in the study had consumed drugs at some point, and 16% had used drugs within the previous 12 months. Alcohol consumption was also examined: 37% of the children had consumed alcoholic drinks, with 25% having done so before the age of 12. Notably, the average age of first alcohol consumption was 12.26 years. Research on underage drinking consistently identifies early onset as a significant predictor of later substance use disorders.

In terms of family structure, 39% of the children lived in intact families — that is, with both natural parents in the same household. Subjects generally reported a relatively positive home atmosphere; however, this assessment showed a racial variation. The home environment of African-American children was rated better than that of White children, with mean scores of 2.3 and 2.6, respectively.

With respect to peer deviance, the study found that males tended to deviate more from normative behavior, engaging more frequently in activities inconsistent with healthy development.

Conclusion

The present study is relevant for pointing out certain issues teenagers face today, whether in an environment influenced by narcotic addicts or one free of such elements. The data provided as a result of the research represent a signal for contemporary society. Each of the percentages that emerged from interviewing the subjects reveals that the young generation has become increasingly vulnerable to drug and alcohol use. This situation highlights the regression of both the societal systems designed to meet the needs of young children and the home environments that should provide a proper framework for healthy child development. These concerns must be taken seriously in any comprehensive assessment of the current situation facing youth in society.