The severity of dispositions under the Young Offenders Act (YOA) is debated, but making restitution a consequence of criminal behavior can be part of growing up for young offenders and victims can regain a sense of control in their lives through participating in an approach that makes offenders accountable. Issues of restitution, accountability, reparation, and healing are more important than debates over how tough or lenient to be with young offenders. Society needs to be protected from the most violent offenders, and the YOA contains provisions to deal with these offenders. For the majority of young offenders who have not committed violent offenses, however, alternatives to incarceration may offer more effective deterrence than simply locking them up. In addition, many youths are addicted to alcohol and drugs and need appropriate treatment that jails cannot provide. The best way of protecting society against violent young offenders is to rehabilitate them. Rehabilitation has not failed; rather, it has not been attempted meaningfully due to inadequate resources in an overburdened juvenile justice system.