Culture of violence and drug use: A culture of violence, drugs and criminality
contributes to risks of individuals using drugs and experiencing violence. For
example, street children are at high risk of violence and illicit drug use as a result of
the environment in which they live (113). Almost half of street children in Rio de
Janeiro report a history of physical abuse and illicit drug use and one third report
belonging to a gang (114). A study of Nigerian street children found a quarter
operated as drug couriers, 14% abused drugs and a third had been arrested for
street fighting and drug use (115).