본 연구에서는 우리나라의 비행경력이 있는 청소년("비행집단")들과 공식적 비행경력은 없으나 학교를 벗어나 있는 청소년집단("비-비행집단")을 상호비교하여 각 집단이 갖는 약물사용 행위의 특성을 실증적자료를 통하여 탐색하였다. "비행집단"에는 3개 소년원에 수용되어 있는 청소년 100명(남자 67명, 여자 33명)이 표집되었고, "비-비행집단"에는 가출아, 학교부적응아, 근로청소년 등 3개집단에서 모두 300명(남자 157명, 여자 143명)이 표집되었다. 본 연구가 갖는 학술적 성과는 다음의 두가지로 요약된다. 첫째, 기존의 약물연구들이 산발적인 측정도구들을 사용하여 데이터를 수집함으로 인해 신뢰성과 타당성의 문제가 제기되곤 했다. 이러한 문제점을 보완할 수 있도록 정부기관(청소년보호위원회)이 정밀한 측정도구를 개발하여 수집한 전국적 자료를 본 연구에서 재분석하여 한국의 비행소년집단과 사회취약계층 청소년집단의 약물사용에 관련된 행동적, 인지적 특성을 체계적으로 조사분석한 것이다. 둘째, 본 연구는 청소년의 비행경험 여부에 따라 약물남용을 촉진시키는 요인과 억제시키는 요인들을 구체적으로 명세화함으로써 비행소년들의 약물에 대한 접근을 사전에 예방하기 위해서 청소년특성에 기초한 약물정책을 개발하고 이들의 약물에 대한 왜곡된 지식과 태도를 수정할 수 있는 치료재활 프로그램 및 약물교육 교재 등을 개발하기 위한 기초지식을 생성한 것이다.

This study explores the characteristics of adolescents' drug abuse conduct with survey data. The adolescents are divided into two groups, called as "Delinquent Group(DG)" and "Non-delinquenct Group(NDG)". DG comprises 100 youths(67 boys and 33 girls) and NDG comprises 300 youths(157 boys and 143 girls). Each characteristics of drug abuse conduct is presented by comparing DG with NDG. The results of this study could be summarized as follows: First, this study produced a background knowledge about behavioral and cognitive element in drug abuse among Korean at-risk youths. The outcomes are based on the reliable national data, which were created by the Korean government body, Youth Protection Commission. Second, this study specifies the facilitating factors and the inhibiting factors in drug abuse conduct within DG and NDG, respectively. Based on this knowledge, it is recommended to develop the drug-prevention policy, treatment and rehabilitative programs, and durg-education materials, which are focused on the correction of irrational knowledge and attitude on drug use. In conclusion, at-risk youths tend to show cognitive and attitudinal biases on illegal drug use, that is, 'drug is not so harmful as generally known', 'drug could be controlled by one's own will', and 'illegal drug use among youths could be accepted depending on situation'. Therefore, more scientific and professional approach focusing on the correction of youth's wrong cognition on drug is needed for the future drug prevention policy. Specifically, the cogntive-behavioral counseling and/or group counseling seem a promising alternative in future drug prevention.

This study explores the characteristics of adolescents' drug abuse conduct with survey data. The adolescents are divided into two groups, called as "Delinquent Group(DG)" and "Non-delinquenct Group(NDG)". DG comprises 100 youths(67 boys and 33 girls) and NDG comprises 300 youths(157 boys and 143 girls). Each characteristics of drug abuse conduct is presented by comparing DG with NDG. The results of this study could be summarized as follows: First, this study produced a background knowledge about behavioral and cognitive element in drug abuse among Korean at-risk youths. The outcomes are based on the reliable national data, which were created by the Korean government body, Youth Protection Commission. Second, this study specifies the facilitating factors and the inhibiting factors in drug abuse conduct within DG and NDG, respectively. Based on this knowledge, it is recommended to develop the drug-prevention policy, treatment and rehabilitative programs, and durg-education materials, which are focused on the correction of irrational knowledge and attitude on drug use. In conclusion, at-risk youths tend to show cognitive and attitudinal biases on illegal drug use, that is, 'drug is not so harmful as generally known', 'drug could be controlled by one's own will', and 'illegal drug use among youths could be accepted depending on situation'. Therefore, more scientific and professional approach focusing on the correction of youth's wrong cognition on drug is needed for the future drug prevention policy. Specifically, the cogntive-behavioral counseling and/or group counseling seem a promising alternative in future drug prevention.

juvenile delinquents, drug abuse, drug prevention policy