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How Does the Canadian Juvenile Justice System Respond to Detained Youth with Substance Use Associated Problems? Gaps, Challenges, and Emerging Issues

NCJ Number
210544
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 40 Issue: 7 Dated: 2005 Pages: 953-973
Author(s)
Patricia G. Erickson; Jennifer E. Butters
Date Published
2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the Canadian response to juvenile offenders who have substance abuse problems.
Abstract
Research has documented that delinquent youth are more likely than other youth to have substance abuse problems. The Canadian juvenile justice system began in 1908 with the goal of meeting the rehabilitative needs of youthful offenders. Despite the large influx of juvenile offenders into the Canadian juvenile justice system who present with substance abuse problems, the Canadian model offers few programs specializing in substance abuse, preferring to offer holistic approaches instead that favor community-based rehabilitation over institutional treatment programs. Statistical data reveal that on any one day in Canada there are approximately 9,000 youthful offenders held in custodial facilities that offer a variety of programs designed to reduce anti-social behavior and, thereby, re-offending rates. While some of these programs do have a substance abuse component, evaluations have indicated that the programs designed for Aboriginal youth employ the most innovative approaches for reducing substance abuse problems. A general description is offered of substance abuse programs offered to young offenders in Ontario, including Multisystemic Therapy which diverts young offenders from incarceration. However, current trends in delinquency and substance abuse in Canada suggest that the Canadian juvenile justice system will need to create more specialized programming for incarcerated youth with substance abuse problems. The authors urge officials not to blindly adopt substance abuse programming designed for adult populations as the needs of juveniles vary vastly from those of adults. Table, references