NCJ Number
133742
Date Published
Unknown
Length
4 pages
Annotation
All admissions to the New York State Division for Youth (DFY) are screened to identify those in need of substance abuse treatment services; in fiscal year 1990, more than 56 percent of admitted youth screened positive. Twenty-five percent of those who screened positive had been admitted on a Penal Law drug charge; the remainder showed evidence of drug or alcohol use sufficient to disrupt daily functioning.
Abstract
The substance abusers among DFY clients were generally characterized as being older youths, male, white or Latino, and from outside New York City. Very few youth who were screened for substance abuse problems had histories of prior drug charges. Juvenile Offenders and Persons In Need of Supervision represented the client groups most likely to have substance abuse problems. Youth initially placed in community-based facilities were least likely to require substance abuse treatment services. Nearly one-third of youth with a substance abuse treatment need also screened positive for a need for mental health services; 30 percent screened positive for special education services. An increasing proportion of drug charges lodged against youthful offenders are for drug selling rather than drug possession. Cocaine and opium are involved in 77 percent of juvenile drug arrests. In response to these trends, DFY has hired a substance abuse Resource Coordinator, established specialized alcohol and substance abuse counseling programs at selected facilities, designated specialized units, trained staff, provided self-help programs, and funded a variety of programs in the community. 3 tables and 3 figures