NCJ Number
45663
Date Published
1974
Length
32 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS AT THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION YOUTH CENTER WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A REDUCTION IN HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES, DELINQUENCY, AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG INDIAN YOUTH ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAMS OF THE CENTER ARE HOUSED IN A BUILDING WITH SUCH FACILITIES AS A RECREATION AREA, A STUDY ROOM, AND A LIBRARY OF INDIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. THE STAFF IS MADE UP OF FOUR FULL-TIME WORKERS, SERVING AS COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, COACHES, AND PROGRAM PLANNERS. BOXING AND PHOTOGRAPHY HAVE BEEN THE PRINCIPLE INTERESTS OF THE YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE CENTER. PROGRAMS ALSO CONCENTRATE ON THE STUDY OF INDIAN CULTURE AND THE CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF THE INDIAN. EFFORTS TO REDUCE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE HAVE INCLUDED A SEMINAR ON DRUGS AT THE YOUTH CENTER AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DETOXIFICATION CENTER. INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN DEALING WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE, PREVALENT AMONG RESERVATION YOUTH. COOPERATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO THE COURT SYSTEM IN DEALING WITH YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE USE OF DRUGS. VOCATIONAL COUNSELING IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT THRUST OF THE YOUTH CENTER'S PROGRAMS. THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE CENTER CENTERS UPON WORKING WITH RESERVATION YOUTH IN DEVELOPING PROGRAMS TO STIMULATE AND REINFORCE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS THAT PROVIDE FULFILLING ALTERNATIVES TO DELINQUENCY AND DRUG ABUSE. THE STATISTICS SUPPLIED INDICATE REDUCTIONS IN THE NUMBERS OF HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS, YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE COURTS, AND YOUTH PLACED IN INSTITUTIONS OVER A 4-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1971 TO 1974. THE STATISTICS APPLY TO THE AREAS SERVED BY THE YOUTH CENTER. (RCB)