Studies have shown that 95% of juvenile delinquents are involved with illicit drugs, reported Caracol Radio Friday.
According to studies of Colombia’s Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), the majority of cases related to minors that break the law are associated with drug consumption.
With the increase in crimes involving minors in Colombia, such as the attack against ex-minister Fernando Londoño and the death of a two-year-old by a stray bullet in Bogota, the ICBF revealed that 5,312 minors have entered the juvenile criminal system so far this year.
“The penalties and the processes of resocialization from the juvenile criminal system must be effective, an operating restorative justice is necessary,” said Diego Molano, director of the Family Welfare Institute.
Molano added that adults and families that induce minors to participate in criminal acts should also be penalized.