Samenvatting

In this article, we explore the background characteristics and entry mechanisms contributing to youth involvement in drug crime. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 professionals as well as with 5 youngsters connected to at-risk youth involved in drug crime. Findings show heterogeneity in terms of background characteristics and in terms of involvement patterns. Lack of parental supervision, poor parent-child relationship and limited supervision from school is typically reported to contribute to early involvement overall. Entry mechanisms primarily involve (natural) social processes, driven by mutual trust and the youth’s desire for recognition and status. The influence of the online world remains unclear.