ARLINGTON (MA) YOUTH CONSULTATION CENTER - A COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO DRUG ABUSE

• NCJ Number: 52444
• Author(s): H REINHERZ; M HEYWOOD; J CAMP
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 164 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Massachusetts Dept of Mental Health
• Corporate Author: R and E Research Associates, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A 2-YEAR EVALUATIVE STUDY OF AN AGENCY CREATED TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS IN ARLINGTON, MASS., IS REPORTED.

Abstract

ARLINGTON IS A WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY NEAR BOSTON. THE YOUTH CONSULTATION CENTER BEGAN AS A RESPONSE BY YOUTHS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND EVOLVED INTO A STRUCTURED ORGANIZATION CONCERNED WITH A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENCE. SEVERAL DISCIPLINES AND TREATMENT APPROACHES ARE COMBINED IN THE CENTER, WHERE PROFESSIONALS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, AND VOLUNTEERS WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF COUNSELING, TREATMENT, AND OTHER SERVICES TO TROUBLED YOUTHS. THE EVALUATION REPORT COVERS THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTER, THE CENTER'S ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS, THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CLIENTS, AND THE IMPACT OF THE CENTER ON CLIENTS. THE VIABILITY OF THE CENTER IS ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, THE FLEXIBILITY OF CENTER STAFF, AND THE CENTER'S WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER A BROAD RANGE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS (IDENTITY, PEER RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, SCHOOL) RATHER THAN FOCUSING SOLELY ON DRUG ABUSE. A REVIEW OF THE CENTER'S CLIENTELE REVEALS CONSIDERABLE ANTISOCIAL AND ASOCIAL BEHAVIOR, TOGETHER WITH SOME INDICATION OF A CORRELATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRUG USE AND OTHER TYPES OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH 48 CLIENTS 1 YEAR AFTER INTAKE POINTED TO CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN DRUG BEHAVIOR, ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR (INCLUDING ARRESTS AND SUSPENSIONS FROM SCHOOL), AND SELF-IMAGE. DETAILS OF THE METHODS USED TO EVALUATE THE CENTER ARE PROVIDED, TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF INSTRUMENTS USED IN INTERVIEWS WITH CLIENTS AND STAFF. PROGRAMMING RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECT SEVERAL TRENDS ALREADY DEVELOPING AT THE CENTER, SUCH AS INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF FAMILIES IN TREATMENT, OUTREACH TO SCHOOL POPULATIONS, AND FLEXIBILITY IN MATCHING SERVICES TO THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH FOCUS ON THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF ALCOHOL USE AND OTHER ANTISOCIAL ACTIVITY FOUND IN DRUG-USING CLIENTS, AND ON THE POSSIBILITY OF PREDICTING WHICH ADOLESCENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT. SUPPORTING DATA, A REPORT ON A SUBSTUDY OF THE FAMILIES OF 24 CLIENTS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)