From the Administrator

From the Administrator
The number of substance-abusing youth who become involved in the juvenile justice system is increasing. Between 1992 and 1996 alone, juvenile arrests for drug abuse violations increased 120 percent.
Adolescent substance abuse and delinquency share common issues involving school, family, and peers. The juvenile justice system must develop and use innovative strategies for early identification and intervention for juvenile drug offenders entering the system if we are to prevent -- or at least reduce -- the serious consequences that continued adolescent substance abuse poses for troubled youth, their families, and communities.
Capacity building is one such strategy. It calls for committed interagency collaboration in developing and implementing effective services within the unique context and supportive environment of the community.
This Bulletin also features a discussion of an OJJDP-funded project conducted by the American Probation and Parole Association in cooperation with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. It describes three innovative methods that can be used by juvenile justice professionals to identify substance-abusing youth and take appropriate steps to intervene.
I am pleased to share this information with the juvenile justice field.
Shay Bilchik
Administrator

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	From the Administrator The number of substance-abusing youth who become involved in the juvenile justice system is increasing. Between 1992 and 1996 alone, juvenile arrests for drug abuse violations increased 120 percent. Adolescent substance abuse and delinquency share common issues involving school, family, and peers. The juvenile justice system must develop and use innovative strategies for early identification and intervention for juvenile drug offenders entering the system if we are to prevent -- or at least reduce -- the serious consequences that continued adolescent substance abuse poses for troubled youth, their families, and communities. Capacity building is one such strategy. It calls for committed interagency collaboration in developing and implementing effective services within the unique context and supportive environment of the community. This Bulletin also features a discussion of an OJJDP-funded project conducted by the American Probation and Parole Association in cooperation with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. It describes three innovative methods that can be used by juvenile justice professionals to identify substance-abusing youth and take appropriate steps to intervene. I am pleased to share this information with the juvenile justice field. Shay Bilchik Administrator