Drug use and criminality among unaccompanied refugee minors: a review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose Organisations working with children have acknowledged that unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) across Europe are exposed to environments and situations that put them at risk for becoming addicted to drugs or becoming involved in crime. The purpose of this paper is to study an examination of existing international research concerning URM and of whether, and if so how, issues relating to drug use and criminality among these children are discussed in the international literature. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological abstracts and ERIC databases, which together cover the social and behavioural science and also medicine. Findings Findings from the present review show that the issues of drug abuse and criminality among URM are rarely acknowledged in the international research literature. When the occurrence of substance abuse and/or criminality is discussed, it is often in relation to mental health problems and in terms of self-medication, i.e. that alcohol or drugs are used by the URM to cope with painful experiences or mental health problems, and also with the challenges of integrating into a new society, difficulties finding work, unsuitable living conditions and a lack of social support. Originality/value This review shows that several researchers have emphasised that untreated mental health problems, stressful living conditions and a lack of support and control might put these children at risk for substance abuse and criminality, and this suggests a need for further research in this area.

Crossing Countries and Crossing Ages: The Difficult Transition to Adulthood of Unaccompanied Migrant Care Leavers

“…The UYMs in our sample also had a better health status, both physically and psychologically, as reflected in their lower rates of psychological treatment and lower incidence of suicidal behaviors with respect to their peers. Moreover, they presented lower rates of substance use and delinquency, confirming other authors' conclusions that substance abuse and criminality are not substantial problems within this group [32]. These results are in line with those of Keles et al [33] that point to the great resilience of UYMs, which enables them to do well despite the additional stressors that could expose them to mental health problems.…”

Estrés migratorio y bienestar subjetivo en menores migrantes no acompañados

“…These young people, who are cared for by the CPS until they reach the age of majority, experience a much more complex transition process to adult life than the rest of the youths who reach the age of majority while in residential care (UNICEF, 2021). The lack of training that hinders social and labour insertion (Martín, González-Navasa, Chirino et al, 2020), the loss of attention to the emotional problems that they could receive in the CPS (Butterworth et al, 2017), and the lack of adequate social support networks (Melkman, 2017) make them a group at high risk of suffering social exclusion (Inofuentes et al, 2022;Ivert & Magnusson, 2020).…”

Mental Health, Alcohol and Substance Use of Refugee Youth

“…In our opinion, this was mainly due either to the perceived expectations of the Islamic religion, or fear of a breach of anonymity and that a truthful answer could possibly lead to legal issues. It is also possible that participants were hesitant to answer these questions, since illicit use of alcohol and substances can be associated with antisocial behavior or interpreted as a sign of weakness or vulnerability (27). In contrast, the research on substance use among the child and youth refugee population has grown significantly in recent years.…”

“…Alcohol and substance use among young refugees is often discussed in relation to mental health problems and their potential bidirectional association: alcohol and substances could be used as selfmedication, but also, they could have an additive effect on the etiopathogenesis of mental health problems. Findings of relevant literature suggest that untreated mental health problems, stressful living conditions, and a lack of support and control might put unaccompanied refugee children at risk of substance use (27). PTSD had previously been established as a strong lifetime indicator of an increased risk to alcohol use disorders and drug abuse/dependence (12,29).…”