Justice System Involvement As a Risk Factor for Substance Use Into Mid-Thirties.

Background

This study examined the impact of criminal conviction and incarceration in emerging adulthood on subsequent substance use - alcohol, marijuana, hard drugs - through age 36. Method: Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) were analyzed. Group-based trajectory modeling and multinomial logistic regression were performed.

Results

Both conviction and incarceration increased the likelihood of being in a binge drinking, marijuana use or hard drug-use class, rather than being in the non- or low-use reference class. The pattern of justice system involvement (JSI) increasing the odds of being in a problem substance use class was seen more consistently for conviction than incarceration. Juvenile substance use - marijuana particularly - predicted adult substance use.

Conclusion

Taking steps to ameliorate the impact of justice system involvement on individuals' subsequent life and health trajectories should be an area of concern for researchers and practitioners.