THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS PORTRAYED AS A REACTIVE SYSTEM THAT INTERVENES WHEN JUVENILE BEHAVIOR IS DEEMED DISRUPTIVE AS WELL AS CRIMINAL. THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THIS INTERVENTION, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORM OF DETENTION AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION, IS DOCUMENTED. IT IS ARGUED THAT, GIVEN THE INCREASING REDUCTION IN TAX DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EXPENDITURES BE CONCENTRATED IN PROGRAMS OF HUMAN SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN EFFECTIVE. YOUTH AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, ALONG WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ARE VIEWED AS MORE EFFECTIVE IN INFLUENCING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR IN YOUTH THAN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL STATUS OFFENSES BE ELIMINATED SO THAT THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM WILL DEAL ONLY WITH YOUTH ACCUSED AND CONVICTED OF LAW VIOLATIONS. PROBLEM BEHAVIOR OTHER THAN LAWBREAKING WOULD BE HANDLED BY AGENCIES ORIENTED TOWARD CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE JUVENILE. (RCB)