Compare and contrast losers and burnouts to persistent offenders with regard to drug abuse

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Losers and Burnouts
Some drug-involved youths do not have the savvy to join gangs or groups and instead begin committing unplanned crimes that increase their chances of arrest. Their heavy drug use increases their risk of apprehension and decreases their value for organized drug distribution networks. Drug-involved "losers" can earn a living by steering customers to a seller in a "copping" area, touting drug availability for a dealer, or acting as a lookout. However, they are not considered trustworthy or deft enough to handle drugs or money. Although these offenders get involved in drugs at an early age, they receive little attention from the justice system until they have developed an extensive arrest record. By then they are approaching the end of their minority and will either desist or become so entrapped in the drug-crime subculture that little can be done to deter their illegal activities.

Persistent Offenders
About two-thirds of substance-abusing youths continue to use drugs in adulthood, but about half desist from other criminal activities. Those who persist in both substance abuse and crime maintain these characteristics:
• They come from poor families.
• Their family members include other criminals.
• They do poorly in school.
• They started using drugs and committing other delinquent acts at an early age.
• They use multiple types of drugs and commit crimes frequently.
• They have few opportunities in late adolescence to participate in legitimate and rewarding adult activities.