THE IMPACT OF AGE-OF-ONSET OF SUBSTANCE USE ON DELINQUENCY

A testable model is developed to examine the link between age of onset of substance use and delinquency. The model predicts that the effect of early substance use on delinquency is indirect through mediating va riables-continuing alcohol and drug use, association with delinquent p eers, and engaging in deviant activities. The model is tested with use of data from the Buffalo Longitudinal Survey of Young Men. The data s upport the model in general. Early substance use is significantly asso ciated with continuing substance use, association with delinquent peer s, and engaging in deviant activities, and through these intervening v ariables, affects delinquency. However, the mediating role of these in tervening variables is different Association with peers and engaging i n deviant activities significantly mediate the effect of early substan ce use on all kinds of delinquency, whereas continuing substance use h as modest mediating roles for the effect only on general and index del inquency.