NCJ Number: 192523
Title: Arrested Development: Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Among Juveniles Detained in New York City
Author(s): Jean Callahan; Melissa Froehle
Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
Date Published: December 2000
Page Count: 6
Sponsoring Agency: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Grant Number: 99-JR-VX-0004
Sale Source: Vera Institute of Justice
Document: PDF
Type: Report (Study/Research)
Format: Document
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: This document presents information on the rate of substance abuse and other mental health disorders for young offenders with serious substance abuse problems.
Abstract: A small study of adolescents confined at Bridges, an intake center for juveniles entering detention in New York City was conducted. Of the 27 juveniles interviewed, 14 met the clinical definition of either substance abuse or dependence-–most for abuse since dependence was a more serious condition. Among these were 6 heavy users, who had consumed alcohol or drugs at least 30 times during the month prior to their arrest and, with one exception, was diagnosed with substance dependence. All 6 of these juveniles were boys who were 15 years old at the time of the interview. Only one was identified as white; others were Puerto Rican, African-American, Hispanic, Trinidadian, and American. All the heavy users identified marijuana as their favorite drug, and only two of them said they had consumed alcohol within the past 90 days. Thirty-seven percent of the juveniles interviewed, including three of the heavy users, identified a blood relative with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Most said there was a lot of talk about drugs in detention, mostly marijuana, but that some also discussed harder drugs, such as ecstasy and cocaine. About half of the juveniles scored high on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) General Mental Distress Index, which includes questions about physical problems, depression, suicidal and homicidal thoughts, and anxiety. Almost half said they had experienced stress in the past year related to the death of a family member or close friend. Most said they were “considerably” or “extremely” satisfied with their family relationships. Many reported having problems learning at school. Gangs in school were frequently mentioned as a disruptive influence and a source of fear. 8 footnotes
Main Term(s): Dual diagnosis; Juvenile drug abusers; Mental disorders
Index Term(s): Drug abuse causes; Drug dependence; Drug use; Juvenile delinquency factors; Juvenile drug use; Marijuana; Underage Drinking
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=192523
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