NCJ Number
158106
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Congressionally requested efforts by the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish pilot outreach programs to reduce juvenile drug use were evaluated with respect to the suitability of the military for operating juvenile drug prevention programs, the costs and effectiveness of the programs, the effects on readiness, the numbers of youth such programs could reach, and desirable attributes of outreach programs using the military.
Abstract
DOD funded 12 programs across the services. Programs varied in size, location, format, intensity, and function. Formats included individual mentoring, adventure camps, physical fitness programs, and the funding of civilian programs. The time involved ranged from 1 to 9 hours per week. Results revealed that the military has a number of attributes that allow it to fill a niche within an overall, multiagency prevention strategy. The National Guard's close community ties may allow it to play a larger role. Programs were generally well run, cost $100-600 per youth per year or per program. Effects on drug use were not measured. The programs relied heavily on volunteers and had little effect on readiness. Such programs can reach only a small fraction of youth at risk. Modest programs that rely on volunteers and are designed locally but operate under a central leadership have the most promise for effectively using military personnel. Programs should target high-risk youth but not the most troubled.