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Juvenile Justice and Substance Use

NCJ Number
224590
Journal
The Future of Children Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2008 Pages: 165-183
Author(s)
Laurie Chassin
Date Published
2008
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders among young offenders in the juvenile justice system as well as efforts by the justice system to provide treatment for these disorders.
Abstract
The discussion emphasizes the importance of diagnosing and treating these disorders, which are linked with continued offending and a variety of adverse drug effects, including risky sexual behavior; violence; and poor educational, occupational, and psychological outcomes. Although the juvenile justice system screens young offenders for substance use disorders, screening methods must be improved and conducted early in order to allow youth to be diverted out of the justice system into community-based programs when appropriate. The article cautions, however, that no single treatment approach has proven effective in treating the majority of substance abusers. This article describes current standards of “best practices” in treating substance use disorders, examines the extent to which they are implemented in the juvenile justice system, and describes some promising models of care. The author highlights several treatment challenges, including the need for better methods of engaging adolescents and their families in treatment and the need to improve ways of addressing environmental risk factors. The latter may include family substance use; deviant peer networks; and co-occurring conditions, such as learning disabilities and mental health disorders. The article advocates policies that encourage wider use of empirically validated therapies and documented best practices for treating substance use disorders. High relapse rates among youths treated for substance use disorders point to a greater need for aftercare services and the management of substance use disorders as chronic illnesses characterized by relapse and remission. Treatment models should integrate and coordinate multiple services for adolescent offenders, particularly community-based approaches during and after periods under juvenile justice supervision. 80 notes